--- title: Social Security 'Break-Even' Calculations Can Be Misleading description: "According to CNBC, when it comes to claiming Social Security and navigating the \"break-even point,\" some blind spots can create misleading results and lead you astray." image: https://www.covisum.com/hubfs/cnbc-logo-blog.jpg --- [Login](https://www.covisum.com/login-experience) | [Call: 402-235-4500](tel:1-402-235-4500) | [Contact Us](https://www.covisum.com/contact) ** [![covisum-logo](https://www.covisum.com/hs-fs/hubfs/covisum-logo.png?width=264&height=41&name=covisum-logo.png "covisum-logo")](https://www.covisum.com/) [![Start Your Free Trial](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2755909/b23743cd-d0df-4907-a66d-293b58ab1164.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2755909/b23743cd-d0df-4907-a66d-293b58ab1164) [![Contact Us](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2755909/6c6d7fe7-e094-4fc0-9c82-d93d4ccbb532.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2755909/6c6d7fe7-e094-4fc0-9c82-d93d4ccbb532) # Social Security 'Break-Even' Calculations Can Be Misleading [IN THE NEWS  |  ](https://www.covisum.com/blog/topic/in-the-news)8/15/18 9:45 AM  |  by [Lauren Laferla, Director of Communications](https://www.covisum.com/blog/author/lauren-laferla-pr-content-marketing-manager) ![CNBC-logo-1-1600x390](https://www.covisum.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/CNBC-logo-1-1600x390.png?width=600&name=CNBC-logo-1-1600x390.png) According to [CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/13/those-social-security-break-even-calculations-can-be-misleading.html), one key calculation to keep in mind, when deciding when to claim Social Security benefits, is the "breakeven point," or the point at which the amount you receive if you claim later equals the amount you would have received if you had started early. However, a few blind spots can create misleading results and lead you astray. Covisum President, Joe Elsasser, CFP®, was interviewed for this article and offered this advice. > "For a married couple, thinking in terms of break-even age is actually dangerous. Someone who is married and looking at the breakeven is saying, 'I think I should claim early because I'm not sure that I have a long enough life expectancy to cross my break-even age.' There are a lot of I's and my's in that statement, which means there's no concern for the impact of my decision on my spouse." If you're married, your spouse should be a big consideration in your claiming decision. Claiming your benefits earlier can also reduce your spouse's benefits if they plan to claim on your work record. You can read the whole article about claiming Social Security benefits [here](https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/13/those-social-security-break-even-calculations-can-be-misleading.html).  [![Subscribe to our blog](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2755909/8b194d2c-70bd-4e2a-9c4a-de03cf62f161.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2755909/8b194d2c-70bd-4e2a-9c4a-de03cf62f161) ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.covisum.com%2Fblog%2Fsocial-security-break-even-calculations-can-be-misleading%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.covisum.com%2Fblog%2Fsocial-security-break-even-calculations-can-be-misleading%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.covisum.com%2Fblog%2Fsocial-security-break-even-calculations-can-be-misleading%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.covisum.com%2Fblog%2Fsocial-security-break-even-calculations-can-be-misleading%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Social%20Security%20%27Break-Even%27%20Calculations%20Can%20Be%20Misleading) ## Related Blog Articles [ ### In The News CNBC explains the best age to claim Social Security Read ](https://www.covisum.com/blog/cnbc-explains-the-best-age-to-claim-social-security) [ ### Social Security 3 Common Questions Financial Advisors Get Asked About Social Security Planning Read ](https://www.covisum.com/blog/common-questions-social-security-planning) [ ### Social Security Keep These 3 Considerations in Mind When Calculating Social Security Income for Your Clients Read ](https://www.covisum.com/blog/calculating-social-security-income) [See All Articles](https://www.covisum.com/blog) ## Covisum’s ecosystem of solutions can help you grow. 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