Choosing when to file for Social Security isn't about hitting age 62, 67, or 70—it's personal. Here's how to find the best filing age for you and your spouse.

The most obvious cost of claiming Social Security at 62 is a permanently reduced monthly benefit. If you file for Social Security at full retirement age, which is 67 for people born in 1960 or later, ...

On a basic level, the monthly Social Security benefit you're entitled to in retirement is based on your earnings history -- specifically, the amount of money you made during your 35 highest-paid years ...

Nearly half of Americans say they expect to file for benefits before reaching full retirement age. Find out why, what the ...

For married couples with unequal historical earnings, it may make sense for the lower income spouse to file for Social Security benefits early or before the higher earner. Ultimately, deciding when to ...

More than a quarter of Americans first claim Social Security benefits at age 62, permanently diminishing their retirement payments.

Most people planning their Social Security retirement imagine the hard part is the decision of when to claim. They spend months weighing their health, their savings, their spouse’s timing. What they ...

As 2025 draws to a close, many Americans are preparing to step away from the workforce and begin collecting Social Security in 2026. But while the new year often feels like a natural transition point, ...

Nearly 70% of U.S. adults receiving Social Security say they've had to make lifestyle changes as a result of cost-of-living increases outpacing their benefits, according to a 2025 survey from the ...

The agency’s plan to curtail phone services, which was expected to send tens of thousands to its offices each week, had been widely criticized. By Tara Siegel Bernard See more of our coverage in your ...

More older Americans are claiming their Social Security benefits earlier, a potentially alarming trend that could significantly reduce the income many rely on in their golden years. As of May, ...