Social Security Calculator 2026

Age 62 Benefit

reduced monthly

FRA Benefit

full retirement age

Age 70 Benefit

maximum monthly

Your Information

Birth Year

FRA (auto-set)

Monthly Benefit at FRA

Find this on your Social Security statement at ssa.gov

Life Expectancy

Used to calculate total lifetime benefits for each scenario

3 Claiming Scenarios

Age 62

/month

—

FRA

/month

Full benefit

Age 70

/month

—

Break-Even: 62 vs FRA

—

age you need to reach for FRA to win

Break-Even: 62 vs Age 70

—

age you need to reach for 70 to win

Lifetime Benefits Comparison

Cumulative Benefit by Age ▼

Age	Claim 62	Claim FRA	Claim 70

Estimates only. Actual benefits depend on your earnings record. Check ssa.gov for your personalized estimate. Does not account for COLA (cost-of-living adjustments) or taxation of benefits. Not financial advice.

Social Security Claiming Strategy — 2026 Guide

Claiming Social Security at the right age can mean $100,000+ more in lifetime benefits. The decision hinges on your health, other income sources, marital status, and break-even age.

⚡ SS Quick Reference — 2026

Earliest claiming age62

FRA (born 1960+)67

Latest claiming age70

Early reduction (62)–30% for FRA=67

Delayed credits+8%/year after FRA

Age 70 vs FRA increase+24% (FRA=67)

Typical break-even (62 vs 70)~Age 80

When to Claim Early (62)

Health issues suggest shorter life expectancy than average
You need income immediately and have no other retirement savings
Spouse has high earnings record and will claim late — your combined household optimizes differently

When to Delay to 70

Good health and family history of longevity (if you'll live past 80, delay wins)
Have other income sources to bridge the gap between FRA and 70
Higher earner in a couple — delayed credits protect the surviving spouse

How are Social Security benefits taxed?+

Up to 85% of Social Security benefits may be taxable depending on your "combined income" (AGI + non-taxable interest + half of SS benefits). If combined income is under $25K (single) or $32K (married), benefits are not taxed. Above $34K single or $44K married, up to 85% is taxable. Strategic Roth conversions before 70 can reduce SS taxation.

Does working affect Social Security benefits?+

If you claim before FRA and continue working, benefits are reduced by $1 for every $2 earned above $22,320 (2026). In the year you reach FRA, the reduction is $1 for every $3 above $59,520. Once you reach FRA, there is no earnings limit — work as much as you like with no benefit reduction. The withheld benefits are added back to your record after FRA.

What happens to Social Security if I'm married?+

The higher earner delaying to 70 maximizes the survivor benefit — the surviving spouse keeps the larger of the two checks forever. A common strategy: lower earner claims early (providing income), higher earner delays to 70 (maximizing the lifetime survivor benefit).

📌 Your Benefit Summary

FRA benefit—

Age 62 benefit—

Age 70 benefit—

Break-even: 62 vs FRA—

Break-even: 62 vs 70—

Your FRA—

📌 FRA by Birth Year

Born 1943–1954Age 66

Born 195566 + 2 months

Born 195666 + 4 months

Born 195766 + 6 months