Editorial and Fact-Check Policy

This page explains how SSA Easy Guide is researched, written and corrected.

Sources

We work from the Social Security Administration's own material: the benefit formulas, the full retirement age table, and published figures. We do not build guidance on other blogs. State tax treatment is checked against current state guidance, and this is an area where much of what is published online is years out of date.

Our calculator

The claiming calculator implements SSA's exact rules: a reduction of 5/9 of one percent per month for the first 36 months before full retirement age and 5/12 beyond, and delayed credits of 2/3 of one percent per month to age 70. It reproduces SSA's published percentages. It states what it excludes, including cost of living adjustments, the earnings test, taxes and Medicare premiums, next to the result rather than in the small print.

What we will not do

We do not invent authors. Articles are bylined to the Easy Guides Editorial Team because that is who writes them. We do not present a break-even age as if it settles the question, because it depends on a lifespan nobody knows.

Corrections

If something here is wrong, tell us at hello@theeasyguides.com. We verify against the primary source and correct confirmed errors promptly.

Limits

We are not the Social Security Administration and nothing here is financial or legal advice. Claiming decisions depend on your health, savings, spouse and work plans. For advice about your situation, speak with a qualified advisor, and get your actual figures from SSA.gov.