Disability
Social Security Disability vs. Retirement Benefits
Filing early because you can't work may cost you a permanent reduction you didn't need to take. Here's the difference.
Read guide2.5%
2026 COLA Increase
$1,976
Avg Monthly Benefit (2026)
$4,018
Max Benefit at Age 70 (2026)
67
Full Retirement Age (born 1960+)
Social Security Benefit Estimator
See how your monthly benefit changes depending on when you claim — from 62 to 70. Compare claiming ages side by side and find your break-even point. Takes 3 minutes.
Estimate My SS Benefit
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How Claiming Age Affects Your Benefit
Full claiming guideThe difference between claiming at 62 versus 70 can be more than $1,500 per month — permanently. Here's what a beneficiary with a $2,000 FRA benefit would receive at each claiming age in 2026.
| Claiming Age | Monthly Benefit | % of FRA Benefit | Annual Benefit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age 62 | $1,400 | 70% | $16,800 | Earliest possible; permanently reduced |
| Age 63 | $1,467 | 73% | $17,600 | Still significantly reduced |
| Age 64 | $1,533 | 77% | $18,400 | — |
| Age 65 | $1,600 | 80% | $19,200 | Medicare enrollment begins |
| Age 66 | $1,733 | 87% | $20,800 | FRA for those born 1943–1954 |
| Age 67 (FRA) | $2,000 | 100% | $24,000 | Full Retirement Age — born 1960+ |
| Age 68 | $2,160 | 108% | $25,920 | Delayed credits accrue |
| Age 69 | $2,320 | 116% | $27,840 | — |
| Age 70 | $2,480 | 124% | $29,760 | Maximum benefit; no gain after 70 |
Example based on $2,000 FRA benefit. Actual amounts vary. Use the estimator for personalized figures.
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