Social Security Benefit Estimator
Estimate your monthly Social Security benefit based on claiming age. Claiming early (62) reduces benefits; delaying past Full Retirement Age (67) increases them 8% per year up to 70.
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About Social Security Benefit Estimator
When to claim?
Claiming later means fewer cheques but bigger ones, so there is an age at which delaying pulls ahead for good. This calculator works it out for your numbers and shows it as Break-even vs claiming at FRA in the results — for a typical FRA of 67 it lands in the low 80s when you delay to 70, and in the late 70s when you claim early at 62. Live past your break-even age and the later claim wins. Spousal/survivor benefits, taxes, and health all factor in too.
Working while collecting
Before FRA, $1 of benefits is withheld for every $2 you earn above the annual limit. In the year you reach FRA the test loosens to $1 withheld for every $3 above a higher limit, counting only what you earn before your birthday month. Withheld amounts are restored after FRA. No earnings test once you reach FRA.
Taxation
Up to 85% of SS can be taxable as federal income depending on "combined income". 13 states tax SS. Roth withdrawals and HSA do not count in combined income — useful planning lever.