One of the key financial decisions facing older Americans is when to claim Social Security retirement benefits. The timing affects how much they will receive for the rest of their lives. Unfortunately, most people do not claim Social Security at their optimal age but instead claim too early.

🔔 Subscribe for all things retirement, investment, tax, & estate planning

✅ I’ve also broken down some other important information regarding Social Security here:
✅ If you enjoyed this video, checkout our Tax-Smart Planning Playlist:
✅ Or check out our Weekly Market Recaps here:

🆓 If you want to UNWIND your wealth, download our Retirement MEGA Pack which includes a flowchart, checklist, and EBook all about unwinding wealth and evaluating your investments:

Let’s connect 🙋‍♂️:
✔️ Twitter
✔️ LinkedIn
✔️ Facebook
✔️ Instagram

Check us out on your favorite 🔊Podcast Platform 🔊: Spotify, Apple or Google Podcast, search WEALTH PROGRAMMED and give us a FOLLOW!

Are you over age 50 and need retirement help?
🤝 Schedule a free consultation

Not ready yet? No problem…

Sign up for our Monthly Newsletter here 👉

Finance tools I find helpful and use routinely:
🧮
📊
🔎

DISCLAIMER: The information provided in these emails is only to be considered helpful hints and education. Nothing said or shown in any of these emails is to be misconstrued as specific tax, legal or investment advice. Consult with your tax, legal or investment professional before acting on anything you see in these videos.

“Investment Advisory Services are offered through ProPath Financial, a registered investment adviser authorized to do business in states where registered or otherwise exempt from registration. Nothing discussed in emails should be viewed as investment advice. If you have questions pertaining to your specific situation, please contact your CPA or call us at 435-238-0603”…(read more)

LEARN MORE ABOUT: IRA Accounts

CONVERTING IRA TO GOLD: Gold IRA Account

CONVERTING IRA TO SILVER: Silver IRA Account

REVEALED: Best Gold Backed IRA

Social Security Breakeven: Claiming at 62, 67, or 70?

Deciding when to claim Social Security benefits is a crucial decision that can significantly impact your retirement income. The age at which you choose to claim benefits could determine how much you receive monthly throughout your retirement. To make an informed decision, it is important to understand the concept of Social Security breakeven and how different claiming ages can affect your overall income.

Social Security breakeven refers to the point at which the cumulative benefits received under different claiming ages become roughly equal. Generally, if you live until your breakeven age, it will not matter which age you initially claimed benefits, as you would have received the same amount of money in total. However, if you live beyond that point, you can potentially receive more money by delaying your claims.

To calculate your breakeven age, several factors come into play. This includes your estimated benefit amount at full retirement age (usually 67), the reduced benefit amount for claiming at 62, and the increased benefit amount for delaying until 70. Social Security provides a calculator specifically designed to help individuals determine their breakeven age based on these factors.

Here’s an example to illustrate how this calculation works:

Let’s say your estimated benefit at full retirement age (67) is $2,000 per month. If you choose to claim Social Security at age 62, your benefit amount will be reduced by 30%, resulting in $1,400 per month. However, if you choose to delay claiming benefits until age 70, your monthly benefit will increase by 24%, totaling $2,480 per month.

Using the Social Security breakeven calculator, you input your estimated benefit amounts at different claiming ages. The calculator will then determine the age at which the cumulative benefits under each scenario become equal. In this example, we find that the breakeven age falls at approximately age 75. This means that if you live beyond age 75, you would have received more in cumulative benefits by delaying your claims until age 70.

It’s important to note that the breakeven age can vary for each individual, depending on their life expectancy, employment history, and other personal factors. Factors such as health, marital status, and financial circumstances should also be taken into consideration when making the decision on when to claim Social Security benefits.

Ultimately, the decision on when to claim Social Security benefits involves careful consideration of various factors. While delaying your claims until age 70 can result in higher monthly benefits, it also means forgoing benefits that could have been received if claimed earlier. Alternatively, claiming benefits at age 62 might be advantageous for those in immediate need of income or for individuals with a shorter life expectancy.

To make the best decision for your retirement, consider utilizing the Social Security breakeven calculator and consulting with a financial advisor who can help you assess your unique situation and guide you through the claiming process. Remember, Social Security benefits play a vital role in securing your financial well-being during retirement, so it’s crucial to make an educated decision that aligns with your long-term goals.