Expert guidance to help you claim Social Security retirement benefits at the right time, maximize income, and avoid costly reductions.
Social Security retirement benefits provide monthly payments to eligible workers who have paid into the system over their careers. You can begin collecting benefits as early as age 62, though doing so before your Full Retirement Age (FRA) will reduce the monthly amount.
If you delay taking benefits past your Full Retirement Age, you can earn Delayed Retirement Credits (DRCs). These increase your benefit by approximately 8% for each year you delay, up to age 70. It’s one of the best ways to boost lifetime retirement income if you don’t need the money right away.
Use our simple tool to calculate how much more you could earn by delaying your retirement benefits. Enter your Full Retirement Age and desired claiming age to see your estimated increase.
Estimate how much your benefit could increase if you claim after your Full Retirement Age (FRA), up to age 70.
If you continue working while collecting benefits before reaching your Full Retirement Age, the SSA may temporarily withhold a portion of your payments:
These withheld amounts aren’t lost. When you reach FRA, SSA recalculates your benefit to pay it back over time.
Helping individuals and families make sense of Social Security and Medicare.
Stay informed with updates on Social Security changes and tips — straight to your inbox.
© 2025 Bragg Social Security Consulting. All rights reserved.
