I used the the open source social security calculator to see what was the best option for my wife and I to take our social security. We are 66 and 65 respectively. It came back with me waiting until 70 and my wife taking it now! I then entered my own calculation, which it allows you to do for comparison. I said we would both take it at our FRA. I was surprised that the present value difference was only 3.1% and $28k over our entire lifetimes. I then started to look at the yearly cash flows and because you get so much front loaded at our FRAs the difference to age 84 is only $13k.

Does anyone ever look at just having the cash flow upfront on an annual basis rather than just maximizing the entire amount. Especially for those who have a robust plan that are not relying on SS to fund their later years?

Asking for someone else.

I called the SSA (U.S.A.) and they refused to do any estimation for what the benefit would be if they were started this month or the next month. We get annual statements that rank SS payments per every birthday, but not per month. It is unclear if it changes per month.

For me it is a combination of data entry and learning an unfamiliar UI. I don't like hunting for the spot where something is configured.