Social Security

Social Security, in plain English.

When to claim, what work does to your checks, how spousal and survivor benefits work, and the 2026 figures. Start with your own numbers, then read the piece you need.

Run my Social Security numbers

The claim-age curve

The same record, three very different checks.

Age 62

70%

Earliest. Permanently smaller checks.

Age 67

100%

Full retirement age (born 1960 or later).

Age 70

124%

Latest worth waiting for. Largest checks.

Percentages of the full benefit, for a full retirement age of 67. Your exact figures depend on your birth year.

Your whole picture

See how Social Security fits the rest of your plan.

The free planner carries your benefit into your spending, taxes, and savings, so you can see the years your money has to last.

Start with your Social Security