Why is it better to take Social Security at age 66 instead of 70?

Asked by: Dameon Rowe  |  Last update: February 25, 2026
Score: 4.8/5 (64 votes)

There are advantages and disadvantages to taking your benefit before your full retirement age. The advantage is that you collect benefits for a longer period of time. The disadvantage is your benefit will be reduced. Each person's situation is different.

Is it better to take retirement at 67 or 70?

You may be eligible to collect Social Security as early as 62, but waiting until age 70 yields greater benefits for most people.

What is the best age to take Social Security based on life expectancy?

The breakeven age for SS before age 67 is around age 78. So if the average lifespan of your parents and grands is over that, the consider starting later. If they died early, consider starting early.

What is the difference in Social Security from 66 to 70?

Everyone's decision about when to start receiving benefits is different. Say that your monthly benefit at a full retirement age of 66 is $1,000. Starting retirement benefits early at 62 or late at 70 can mean the difference between $750 and $1,320 a month.

Is it worth delaying Social Security to age 70?

If you start receiving retirement benefits at age: 67, you'll get 108 percent of the monthly benefit because you delayed getting benefits for 12 months. 70, you'll get 132 percent of the monthly benefit because you delayed getting benefits for 48 months.

What's the Best Age to Claim Social Security 62, 66, or 70?

43 related questions found

What is the break even point for Social Security 67 vs 70?

Waiting until your full retirement age of 67 means you'd break even when you're a little over 78 1/2 years old. If you wait until age 70 to collect Social Security, you would be a little under age 80 1/2 to break even.

When my husband dies, do I get his Social Security and mine?

If your spouse dies, do you get both Social Security benefits? You cannot claim your deceased spouse's benefits in addition to your own retirement benefits. Social Security only will pay one—survivor or retirement. If you qualify for both survivor and retirement benefits, you will receive whichever amount is higher.

How do I get the $16728 Social Security bonus?

Have you heard about the Social Security $16,728 yearly bonus? There's really no “bonus” that retirees can collect. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a specific formula based on your lifetime earnings to determine your benefit amount.

What is the $1000 a month rule for retirement?

The $1,000 per month rule is designed to help you estimate the amount of savings required to generate a steady monthly income during retirement. According to this rule, for every $240,000 you save, you can withdraw $1,000 per month if you stick to a 5% annual withdrawal rate.

What does Suze Orman say about taking Social Security at 62?

If you haven't made plans to delay claiming your Social Security at that point, chances are you will just go ahead and start at 62. It takes planning to be able to delay starting to collect your benefit. Maybe working a bit longer, at least part-time.

At what age can I collect 100% of my Social Security?

For anyone born 1960 or later, full retirement benefits are payable at age 67.

How much money will I lose if I retire at 62 instead of 65?

A worker can choose to retire as early as age 62, but doing so may result in a reduction of as much as 30 percent. Starting to receive benefits after normal retirement age may result in larger benefits. With delayed retirement credits, a person can receive his or her largest benefit by retiring at age 70.

What is a good monthly retirement income?

The ideal monthly retirement income for a couple differs for everyone. It depends on your personal preferences, past accomplishments, and retirement plans. Some valuable perspective can be found in the 2022 US Census Bureau's median income for couples 65 and over: $76,490 annually or about $6,374 monthly.

What is the smartest age to collect Social Security?

You can start receiving your Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62. However, you are entitled to full benefits only when you reach your full retirement age. If you delay taking your benefits from your full retirement age up to age 70, your benefit amount will increase.

Who are the never beneficiaries of Social Security?

Ninety-five percent of never-beneficiaries are individuals whose earnings histories are insufficient to qualify for benefits. Late-arriving immigrants and infrequent workers comprise the vast majority of these insufficient earners.

Do you have to pay Social Security tax after age 66?

As long as you continue to work, even if you are receiving benefits, you will continue to pay Social Security taxes on your earnings. However, we will check your record every year to see whether the additional earnings you had will increase your monthly benefit.

Is $2000 a month enough to retire on?

Retiring on $2,000 per month is very possible,” said Gary Knode, president at Safe Harbor Financial. “In my practice, I've seen it work. The key is reducing expenses and eliminating any market risk that could impact your savings if there were a major market downturn.

What is the 4 rule in retirement?

One frequently used rule of thumb for retirement spending is known as the 4% rule. It's relatively simple: You add up all of your investments, and withdraw 4% of that total during your first year of retirement. In subsequent years, you adjust the dollar amount you withdraw to account for inflation.

Can two wives collect Social Security from one husband?

Each survivor benefit can be up to 100% of your benefit. The amount may be reduced if the women start benefits before their own full retirement age, but they don't have to share — the amount isn't reduced because you've had more than one spouse.

What is the 5 year rule for Social Security?

The Social Security 5-year rule refers specifically to disability benefits. It requires that you must have worked five out of the last ten years immediately before your disability onset to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

How do I get $144 added back to my Social Security check?

How do you get $144 added back to your Social Security check every month? If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan with a Part B giveback benefit, the plan reduces the amount deducted from your Social Security check for Medicare Part B, which could add up to $144 back to your check each month.

Does an ex-wife get her ex-husband's Social Security when he dies?

you're eligible for some of your ex's Social Security

wives and widows. That means most divorced women collect their own Social Security while the ex is alive, but can apply for higher widow's rates when he dies.

What not to do when your spouse dies?

Top 10 Things Not to Do When Someone Dies
  1. 1 – DO NOT tell their bank. ...
  2. 2 – DO NOT wait to call Social Security. ...
  3. 3 – DO NOT wait to call their Pension. ...
  4. 4 – DO NOT tell the utility companies. ...
  5. 5 – DO NOT give away or promise any items to loved ones. ...
  6. 6 – DO NOT sell any of their personal assets. ...
  7. 7 – DO NOT drive their vehicles.

Do married couples get two Social Security checks?

To determine the amount of SSI benefits a couple is eligible to receive, their combined countable income is deducted from the FBR for a couple. The result is then divided equally and paid to the couple in separate checks.