Breaking even? Why should anyone care? I don’t

We have discussed many times when to start Social Security and pretty much concluded the decision is personal and need based. I don’t have a problem with any of that, but what bugs me is concern over breaking even considering amount received and years of benefits.

It seems to me the monthly benefit, the income when needed most is all that matters. Since I once again find myself in the minority, I asked a neutral party, Gemini AI. Here’s is the answer I received.

“The Social Security breakeven date is important because it helps individuals understand the long-term financial implications of when they choose to start receiving their Social Security retirement benefits.” 

“The Social Security breakeven date is a valuable tool for retirement planning. It provides a financial benchmark to help you decide when to start your benefits to potentially maximize your lifetime income from Social Security based on your individual circumstances and life expectancy.”

What long term implications? Valuable for what? What financial benchmark? How could it possibly matter at all? You receive benefits you need and then somewhere along the journey they stop, breakeven or not. 

Are you any better off going past breakeven or worse off missing the mark. Not that I can figure. 

What do you say?

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