Deciding when to claim Social Security is one of the most important retirement choices you’ll ever make. Taking it early boosts your income sooner but lowers your lifetime benefit. Delaying increases your monthly check but requires patience and other income sources. AI can help you compare both paths using your real numbers.
Before you use it, just remember: copy, paste, [personalize any brackets] and run the prompt in ChatGPT, Gemini or your favorite AI app.
What this does
Creates a personalized comparison showing the financial trade-offs between claiming Social Security early, at full retirement age, or delaying until later.
Why it's useful
Social Security decisions impact your income for the rest of your life. This prompt uses your earnings history, longevity assumptions, and financial needs to reveal the smartest timing strategy for you.
Who it's for
• Anyone 55+ evaluating when to start Social Security
• People unsure whether delaying increases their lifetime benefit
• Couples who want to coordinate benefits for maximum household income
• Anyone wanting a personalized Social Security timing strategy
Copy & Paste This Prompt:
Help me analyze whether I should claim Social Security early, at full retirement age, or delay. Begin by asking me these questions one at a time:
- What is my current age?
- What is my Full Retirement Age (if known)?
- What is my estimated benefit at full retirement age?
- Do I plan to work while collecting benefits?
- What is my current health and family longevity history?
- Do I have other sources of retirement income?
- Do I prefer maximizing monthly income or total lifetime value?
After collecting my answers, do the following:
A) Show my estimated monthly benefits if claimed early, at full retirement age, or delayed
B) Calculate how long it takes for delaying benefits to “break even”
C) Present a lifetime-income comparison under different claiming ages
D) Explain how working while claiming may reduce benefits
E) Provide a recommended claiming strategy tailored to my financial and longevity situation
F) Highlight any spousal benefit opportunities I should consider
Finish with two scenarios:
• A conservative scenario (longer life expectancy, lower returns)
• A moderate scenario (average life expectancy, typical returns)
#End of Prompt
How this helps you
This gives you a clear, personalized look at how timing affects your income for decades. Instead of guessing or relying on generic advice, you'll see exactly how each choice impacts your monthly and lifetime benefits — and which strategy best fits your situation.
