Social Security becomes available to most Americans at age 62. Not surprisingly, that’s the most popular age for claiming the retirement benefit. Hey: It’s money.
But is 62 the best age to claim Social Security?
You can find hundreds of articles on that question, and the answer isn’t obvious. If you take Social Security earlier, you get more checks. For every year you wait, up to age 70, the checks get larger.
Do the math, however, and you will see compelling evidence for waiting until age 70 to take Social Security.
The reason is simple human longevity: An average American retiree will live long enough to get the most money over their lifetime if they wait until 70 and claim the maximum monthly benefit. USA TODAY published an article in 2025 that explains the calculations.