Free Social Security simulator
See what claiming age means for your benefit
Our conversational calculator runs in your browser in under a minute — with break-even analysis and side-by-side scenarios at 62, your full retirement age, and 70. No login required.
Conversational intake
Answer three plain-language questions from your SSA statement. Grace walks you through it — no spreadsheet, no account.
Break-even analysis
See the crossover ages between claiming early, at full retirement age, and at 70 — so “wait or start now” becomes a number you can discuss.
Side-by-side scenarios
Compare two or three claiming paths at once: monthly checks, survivor benefits, bridge years, and the 2032 planning floor.
How much will Social Security be cut in 2032?
The 2026 Social Security Trustees Report projects the retirement trust fund (OASI) will be depleted in late 2032. If Congress does not act, ongoing payroll taxes would still cover about 78% of scheduled benefits — an across-the-board reduction of roughly 22%. The program does not stop. Use the toggle inside the calculator to compare your scheduled benefit with that planning floor.
What your number actually means
Claiming age is your biggest lever
Claiming at 62 locks in a smaller check; waiting until 70 grows it. That gap is often larger than the 2032 headline.
Plan for a range, not a promise
Many planners use about 80% of scheduled benefits as a working number and treat the full amount as upside if Congress acts.
A cut is not an ending
Even with no action, payroll taxes still fund roughly 78 cents on every promised dollar — and your timing choice still matters.
Frequently asked questions
Will Social Security run out in 2032?
No. The 2026 Trustees Report projects the retirement trust fund (OASI) will be depleted in late 2032, but the program does not stop. If Congress takes no action, ongoing payroll taxes would still cover about 78% of scheduled benefits — an across-the-board reduction of roughly 22%, not a shutdown.
How much will my Social Security benefit be cut?
If nothing changes before depletion, the projected reduction is about 22% applied proportionally to everyone. For the average retired worker collecting about $2,071 a month, that is roughly $455 less per month. This calculator lets you see your own scheduled benefit alongside the projected 78% "floor."
Is the 22% cut the same as the 83% figure I have seen?
No, and they are easy to confuse. The 22% cut (78% payable) is the official figure for the retirement fund alone (OASI). The 83%-payable figure refers to the combined OASDI program — a hypothetical that would require Congress to legally merge two separate trust funds. For retirees planning today, the OASI number is the relevant one.
Should I claim Social Security early because of the cut?
Not necessarily, and that is exactly the kind of decision worth modeling rather than guessing. Claiming earlier locks in a permanently smaller benefit; delaying to 70 increases it. The right answer depends on your health, savings, and whether you are still working. Run the numbers here, then build a plan around them.
Where do these numbers come from?
The 78% payable / 22% reduction and the late-2032 depletion date are from the 2026 Social Security Trustees Report, released June 9, 2026. Your personal benefit estimate comes from your own statement at ssa.gov. This tool is educational and does not provide individualized financial advice.
Go deeper
Social Security’s 2032 Shortfall: What the 22% Cut Really Means for Your Benefit →Turn your number into a plan
Grace builds you a personalized 7-day clarity plan around your Social Security timing — and keeps it current as your life changes.
Get your planThis simulator is for educational purposes and does not provide individualized financial, tax, or investment advice. Figures reflect the 2026 Social Security Trustees Report; your personal benefit comes from your statement at ssa.gov. Grace AI™ is not a licensed financial advisor, tax professional, or medical provider.