Claiming age comparison

• You enter an estimated monthly benefit at full retirement age (for example from your SSA statement); Coteau doesn't estimate it. Single filer only: spousal, survivor and family benefits, the earnings test, taxes and Medicare premiums aren't modeled.
• Early claiming reduces the benefit by 5/9 of 1% per month for the first 36 months and 5/12 of 1% after that; delayed credits add 2/3 of 1% per month to 70 (people born 1943 or later). Rules change; confirm with SSA.gov. Not tax or benefits advice.
• This is a comparison with breakeven ages, not a recommended claiming age.
• Every number is hypothetical and depends entirely on what you enter. Small changes in assumptions can change results a lot.
• Returns are smooth and constant in the single-number projection; real returns vary every year, and real markets can do better or worse than anything shown.
• Inflation is a single constant rate you choose (except in historical replays, which use the actual CPI of each year).
• Growth compounds monthly (or at the contribution frequency) and contributions are made at the end of each period.
• No taxes unless you turn on the simplified tax drag (all positive growth taxed each year at your rate, which overstates tax for buy-and-hold). No fees unless you set one.
• Inputs stay in your browser. Saving uses this device's local storage; a share link contains the numbers you entered, so anyone with the link can see them.

Life table: U.S. Social Security Administration, Period Life Table 2023 as used in the 2026 Trustees Report (population averages).

Coteau may be wrong. Check every number yourself, and talk to a licensed professional before acting on anything.