RetirementSocial Security·May 18, 2026
Social Security at 62, 67 or 70? Here's the Math
Waiting can add over $1,000 to your monthly check — but only if you live long enough. Find your break-even age in 5 minutes.
The headline tradeoff
Claiming at 62 locks in roughly 70% of your full benefit. Claiming at 70 locks in 124%. For someone with a full-retirement-age (FRA) benefit of $2,500/month, that's the difference between $1,750 and $3,100 — for life.
Bottom line
Most healthy people in a couple should have the higher earner delay to 70 if at all possible.