Social Security Timing Optimizer

Full Retirement Age (FRA): Your FRA depends on birth year. For those born 1960+, it's 67. Born 1943-1954? It's 66. Between? It gradually increases. At FRA, you get 100% of your calculated benefit.

Early Claiming (Age 62): You can claim as early as 62, but benefits are permanently reduced by about 30% if your FRA is 67 (about 0.5-0.6% per month early). This reduction lasts your entire life.

Delayed Credits (Age 70): For each year you delay past FRA (up to 70), benefits increase by 8%. Delay from 67 to 70? That's 24% more money for life! After 70, there's no additional benefit to waiting.

Break-Even Analysis: We calculate when delayed claiming "pays off" by showing cumulative lifetime benefits. If you live past the break-even age, delaying wins. Longer life expectancy generally favors delaying.

Spousal Benefits: Married? Your spouse may be eligible for up to 50% of your FRA benefit. Coordinating when each spouse claims can maximize household lifetime benefits.