Social Security Estimator

There’s no universally right age. It depends on your health, your other income, and whether you need the money now or can wait.

Starting at 62 gives you the smallest monthly check, but you collect it for the most years. This can make sense if you need income right away, have health concerns, or don’t have other savings to draw from.

Waiting until 67 (full retirement age for most people) gives you your full benefit — no reduction, no bonus. This is the baseline amount the Social Security Administration calculates for you.

Waiting until 70 gives you the largest possible check — about 24% more than at 67, and roughly 77% more than at 62. If you have other income or savings to cover the gap years, this can significantly increase your lifetime income.

Yes — if all of these are true:

• Your marriage lasted at least 10 years
• You’re currently unmarried
• You’re at least 62 years old
• Your ex-spouse is entitled to Social Security

Under current rules, you may be eligible to receive up to 50% of your ex’s full benefit (their benefit at age 67). This generally does not reduce their check — they typically won’t be notified. Your ex doesn’t need to have filed for their own benefits. Verify your eligibility with the SSA.

If your own benefit is higher than 50% of your ex’s, you’ll receive your own benefit instead. Social Security automatically pays you whichever is more.

Social Security looks at your highest 35 years of earnings (adjusted for inflation) and calculates a base monthly amount. This base amount is what you’d receive at your full retirement age (67 for anyone born in 1960 or later).

If you start before 67, your check is permanently reduced — about 6-7% per year for the first 3 years early, and about 5% per year beyond that. If you wait past 67, your check grows by 8% per year until age 70.

After 70, there’s no additional increase — so waiting past 70 doesn’t help.

This estimator gives you a clear picture of the early-vs-late tradeoff, but a few things are beyond its scope:

• Cost-of-living adjustments (COLA): Social Security benefits increase each year with inflation. This tool shows today’s dollars.
• Taxes on benefits: Depending on your total income, up to 85% of your Social Security may be taxable.
• Medicare premiums: Part B premiums are typically deducted from your Social Security check.
• Survivor benefits: If your ex-spouse passes away, you may be eligible for a larger survivor benefit.

See how Social Security fits into a full 30-year settlement projection — including what happens before and after benefits begin.

This calculator provides rough estimates for educational purposes only and should not be relied upon as financial, legal, or tax advice. Actual Social Security benefits depend on your complete earnings history and may differ significantly from these estimates. The income brackets shown produce approximate benefit amounts — your actual benefit could be higher or lower.

Social Security rules are complex and change periodically. The figures, percentages, and thresholds shown here may not reflect current SSA rules. For your actual benefit estimate, create an account at SSA.gov and review your Social Security statement. For personalized advice about when to claim, consult a financial advisor.

Full retirement age is 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later. If you were born before 1960, your full retirement age may be slightly earlier, which would change these estimates.