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The cost of not waiting until 70, and what an IRA bridge actually costs

Most retirees claim Social Security at 62 because the calculator on ssa.gov tells them what they get today, not what they're losing. This tool shows the lifetime number, plus what a 7-year income bridge would cost so you could actually wait.

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Your numbers

Pull these from your latest Social Security statement (ssa.gov → "Your statement"). If you don't have them, the calculator estimates from your FRA number.

You (primary)

SS benefit estimate (monthly)

earliest claim
full retirement age
maximum

Spouse (leave blank if single)

Spouse SS (monthly)

if already claiming
put same # if already claiming

Planning assumptions

try 85, 90, 95; the math gets dramatic past 85
% per year, 2.5% is the 20-yr avg
% yield on a Treasury or CD ladder held for the bridge years
used to estimate Roth-conversion bracket savings
what you'd face at 75+ with RMDs + spouse death
for SS-taxation math during bridge
if you keep working before age 70, which triggers the SS earnings test
drain IRA at 22% during bridge vs higher RMD brackets later
SS isn't on yet, so it's not getting taxed at 85% provisional

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By submitting you agree to be contacted by Hans Goldstein. No spam, ever. Educational only.
Educational tool, not advice. The math assumes a bridge fund (for example a Treasury or CD ladder) earning the yield you enter and spent to zero by 70, Social Security delay credits (5/9% per month early reduction, 8%/year delay credit), and standard actuarial assumptions. Consult a CPA before executing any strategy. Retirement Literacy Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. EIN 41-5062266.
Hans Goldstein

Hans Goldstein

Founder & Executive Director · Retirement Literacy Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit

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