Social Security
Claiming strategies, break-even analysis, and how Social Security interacts with early retirement.
3 articles
Social Security
When to claim Social Security - break-even
The pre-tax break-even for claiming Social Security at 62 versus 70 is age 80. Taxes on how benefits stack with other income can shift it 6 to 12 months.
•13 min read
Social Security
Social Security if you retire early - FIRE math
FIRE retirees stop earning decades before claiming, which drags AIME down - but the progressive PIA formula cushions the loss more than most plans expect.
•12 min read
Social Security
Social Security Tax Calculator: How Benefits Get Taxed
Up to 85% of Social Security benefits are federally taxable, based on provisional income thresholds frozen since 1983. Here is the formula, the tax torpedo, and how to minimize it.
•13 min read