What Is the Social Security ‘Break-Even’ Point? How Long You Need To Live To Make Waiting Worth It

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A lot depends on factors such as life expectancy and immediate financial needs.

This will vary based on when you decide to collect benefits.

In nearly all cases, it will take many years to reach the break-even point.

For everyone else, it makes sense to wait as long as possible.

you could receive up to 132% of your monthly benefit if you wait until 70.

This leads us to the next consideration about collecting Social Security benefits.

Starting your payments earlier could meanlower survivor benefitsfor your spouse.

Martin Daskocontributed to the reporting for this article.

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