Retirelens Calculator

When should I claim Social Security?

Compare Social Security claiming ages from 62 to 70. Find the age that maximizes your lifetime net benefits or present value, based on your health, income, and tax situation.

Optimal claim age

Best claiming age (by NPV)

Age 65

Monthly benefit: $2,167. Lifetime net: $756,626. Break-even vs. early claim: Age 83.

Age 62 monthly

$1,750

FRA monthly

$2,500

Age 70 monthly

$3,100

Your details

Find this on your Social Security statement at ssa.gov.

2.5%
4%

Used to calculate present value of future benefits.

Monthly benefit by claim age

Age 62Age 63Age 64Age 65Age 66Age 67Age 68Age 69Age 70$0$800$2K$2K$3K

Cumulative net lifetime benefits

  • Claim 62
  • Claim 70
  • Claim FRA
626466687071727476788082848688$0$250K$500K$750K$1.0M

What this means

Your Full Retirement Age is 67. Claiming at 65 maximizes present value (NPV) at $424,237. Claiming at 70 maximizes total lifetime net benefits.

Break-even age (early vs. age 70): Age 83. If you expect to live past this age, delaying generally wins.

Plan more than your portfolio

Your finances are one lens. A confident retirement also needs clarity on health, purpose, relationships, and legacy — the same pillars we use across Retirelens.

Financial Readiness

Know where you stand and what to do next with your money.

74% of planners reported satisfaction with retirement income vs. 43% of non-planners (Goldman Sachs)

Health & Wellness

Secure solid coverage, stay ahead with preventive care and healthy habits a staple.

68% of adults ages 50–64 said they were concerned that federal policy changes could affect their health insurance coverage. (University of Michigan)

Lifestyle & Purpose

Shape days you look forward to, with steps to get there.

Research shows that a stronger sense of purpose is associated with lower mortality risk among adults over age 50. (American Medical Association)

Social Connections

Strengthen relationships and build a support circle.

A longitudinal study of adults aged 65+ found that older adults with more diverse social networks had a lower risk of death and better cognitive and physical function than those with less diverse networks. (Chico Health Aging Project)

Legacy Planning

Organize your assets and document so your family isn't left guessing.

Without a proper estate plan, more than half of families experience disputes or have assets end up under court control. (LegalShield)

How this calculator works

Each claim age produces a monthly benefit equal to your PIA adjusted by the claiming factor (reduced before FRA, increased after). Benefits grow by the COLA rate each year. The taxable portion is calculated using IRS provisional income rules.

NPV discounts future net benefits back to today using your selected discount rate. Lifetime net totals all net benefits through your life expectancy.

Help

Frequently asked questions

Straight answers to common questions about this calculator.