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Social Security Break-Even Calculator

Compare cumulative benefits between two claiming strategies to estimate the break-even point.

A
Strategy A
Enter the age/month you start benefits and the starting monthly amount.
Example: 62, 67, 70
COLA is applied each January.
$
Starting monthly benefit at claim.
B
Strategy B
Often used to compare early vs delayed claiming (e.g., 62 vs 70).
Example: 62, 67, 70
Can be locked to Strategy A (recommended).
$
Starting monthly benefit at claim.
COLA is applied each January (modeled with your selected month alignment).
Totals, chart, and table extend through this age.
On
Keeps month alignment consistent (recommended).
Break-even point
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Totals through selected age
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Difference (B − A)
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Cumulative Benefits Over Time
Month-by-month totals by age (COLA applied each January).
Annual Withdrawal Comparison (Age-Year Table)
Each “Age” row is a 12-month period (Age 62→63, 63→64). Not a calendar year.
Age Year Benefit A Year Benefit B Cumulative A Cumulative B Diff (B − A) Leader
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Break-Even Examples with and without COLA (Simplified Formula)

This example uses the same break-even logic as the result above (discrete month-by-month), using a 0% COLA continuous formula estimate.

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Disclaimer: This calculator provides hypothetical illustrations based on simplified assumptions and user inputs. It does not constitute financial advice and does not reflect the impact of taxes, Medicare premiums (including IRMAA), earnings tests, spousal or survivor benefits, or future changes to Social Security laws, regulations, or administrative practices.