RetirementNeuron guide
Social Security retirement planning
Social Security retirement benefits can be claimed as early as 62. Waiting past full retirement age increases the monthly benefit until age 70. The right age depends on the household, not a single rule.
Reviewed 2026-09-28. Written by RetirementNeuron. This page was not reviewed by a CFP, CPA, attorney, or Medicare specialist. How the calculations work.
What is full retirement age?
Full retirement age is the age Social Security uses for an unreduced retirement benefit. For people born in 1960 or later, it is 67.
Claiming before that age reduces the monthly benefit. Delaying after it earns delayed retirement credits through age 70.
RetirementNeuron uses the birth date on the household profile when it estimates claiming ages, instead of asking for an age the plan already knows.
How can a married household coordinate claims?
Each spouse has a own claiming age, and the household’s income in each year depends on both choices plus any survivor benefit that would apply later.
One spouse can claim earlier while the other delays. That changes the bridge years, when the portfolio covers more spending before both benefits have started.
Spousal and survivor rules are set by Social Security. RetirementNeuron models the household dates you enter; it does not file a claim or decide eligibility.
What is a Social Security bridge?
A bridge is the period after earned income stops and before Social Security (or a higher delayed benefit) starts. Spending in those years comes from savings and other income.
A longer bridge can raise the monthly benefit later and increase withdrawals now.
Scenario comparisons are how RetirementNeuron shows that tradeoff. The result is an estimate under the returns, taxes, and spending you assumed.
Questions
Does RetirementNeuron file a Social Security claim?
No. It estimates benefits from the information in the plan and the claiming ages you compare. Claims are made with the Social Security Administration.
Sources
Related
RetirementNeuron is educational planning software. It does not provide individualized investment, tax, legal, Medicare, or Social Security advice.