📋 More Americans Are Choosing to Claim Social Security Early (AARP Article)

[SummerOnTheWay1]

FROM THE ARTICLE.

Unraveling the Rush: Why Americans Are Claiming Social Security Early.

By Bryan Miller, AARP Research. Published August 13, 2025.

The Urban Institute’s recent analysis of Social Security Administration (SSA) data found that more Americans are filing early for their retirement payments in 2025 compared with 2024. While early claiming (claiming Social Security retirement payments before reaching the full retirement age of 67) may be the right decision for some, it reduces the monthly payment and can result in lower lifetime payments for many retirees.

USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE.

https://www.aarp.org/pri/topics/work-finances-retirement/social-security/social-security-early-claim...

[fffred · Accepted solution]

I waited until age 70 after consideration. I wanted my spouse to get as large a survivor’s  benefit as possible should that occur…she is 11 years my junior. But the plan is for her to take spousal at 62…the idea being to increase cash flow now while we’re young enough to make use ot it rather than be older with larger cash flow. 

of course these concerns would not apply if I was single. So each situation has different considerations. 

[fffred · Accepted solution]

I was very fortunate to hold on to my work until i retired one month after my FRA of 66. I even had a retirement party and mementos. Though i was prepared to be canned at any time…financially and otherwise. i consider myself as fortunate as being smart…I ain’t that smart and i’ve seen many people smarter than me end up being discharged and unprepared. I guess financial readiness was always my hobby

[SummerOnTheWay1]

📎  Anyone started their Retirement Social Security EARLY?  🤔

I did in 2020 at the age of 62 thanks to COVID. Fugured I needed to stay alive = employer could NOT careless that we were being "exposed" to it due to the public interaction.

Nicole!

[fffred · Accepted solution]

I waited until age 70 after consideration. I wanted my spouse to get as large a survivor’s  benefit as possible should that occur…she is 11 years my junior. But the plan is for her to take spousal at 62…the idea being to increase cash flow now while we’re young enough to make use ot it rather than be older with larger cash flow. 

of course these concerns would not apply if I was single. So each situation has different considerations. 

[fffred]

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@fffred wrote:

I waited until age 70 after consideration. I wanted my spouse to get as large a survivor’s  benefit as possible should that occur…she is 11 years my junior. But the plan is for her to take spousal at 62…the idea being to increase cash flow now while we’re young enough to make use ot it rather than be older with larger cash flow. 

of course these concerns would not apply if I was single. So each situation has different considerations. 

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