When Should You Start Taking Social Security Benefits?
One of the most important retirement decisions you’ll ever make is when to begin drawing your Social Security benefits. While you can claim as early as age 62, your monthly payment will be permanently reduced if you do. On the other hand, waiting until full retirement age—or even age 70—can significantly increase your lifetime income. So, how do you decide what’s right for you?
This decision isn’t just about age—it’s about income needs, health status, life expectancy, spousal benefits, and even your tax strategy. If you retire early and need income right away, taking benefits sooner might be necessary. But if you have other income sources or can delay for a few years, you could increase your benefit by 24% or more. Delaying from full retirement age to age 70 adds 8% per year in delayed retirement credits.
Married couples face additional planning opportunities. Coordinating spousal benefits, widow and survivor benefits, and timing between spouses can unlock even more income. Unfortunately, many people miss out on these opportunities because they simply claim too early—or assume there’s only one right way to file.
At Diversified Insurance Brokers, we offer personalized Social Security Assessments that help you determine the best time to file based on your complete financial picture. Our advisors factor in your income needs, other retirement assets, and long-term tax implications so you can make a confident, data-driven decision.
👉 Visit our Social Security page here
Schedule Your Social Security Review
Get personalized guidance on claiming age, spousal/survivor benefits, the earnings test, taxes, and how Medicare timing fits in. Our team at Diversified Insurance Brokers will help you avoid costly mistakes and maximize lifetime benefits.
📞 Call us at 800-533-5969
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About the Author:
Jason Stolz, CLTC, CRPC, is a senior insurance and retirement professional with more than two decades of real-world experience helping individuals, families, and business owners protect their income, assets, and long-term financial stability. As a long-time partner of the nationally licensed independent agency Diversified Insurance Brokers, Jason provides trusted guidance across multiple specialties—including fixed and indexed annuities, long-term care planning, personal and business disability insurance, life insurance solutions, and short-term health coverage. Diversified Insurance Brokers maintains active contracts with over 100 highly rated insurance carriers, ensuring clients have access to a broad and competitive marketplace.
His practical, education-first approach has earned recognition in publications such as VoyageATL, highlighting his commitment to financial clarity and client-focused planning. Drawing on deep product knowledge and years of hands-on field experience, Jason helps clients evaluate carriers, compare strategies, and build retirement and protection plans that are both secure and cost-efficient.
