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Are you claiming Social Security at the right time?
The age you choose can change your monthly check by hundreds of dollars, for the rest of your life. Here's how to think about it.
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There's no single right age. The best claiming age depends on your health, your other income sources, whether a spouse is involved, and how long you expect your money to last.
Social Security lets you start as early as 62 or wait as late as 70. The longer you wait, the larger your monthly check, so the decision is really a trade-off between more checks now and bigger checks later.
The right answer is the one that fits your full financial picture, not a rule of thumb. Here's how the three common ages compare.
You get the most checks, but each one is permanently reduced, by roughly 25 to 30 percent versus your full benefit. May make sense if you need the income or have health concerns.
For most people retiring today, this is when you receive 100 percent of your earned benefit. A common middle-ground choice when income is needed but not urgent.
Every year you wait past full retirement age generally adds about 8 percent, up until 70. Typically the largest monthly benefit, and valuable longevity insurance if you expect a long retirement.
The math changes the moment a spouse, a pension, or a tax-aware withdrawal plan enters the picture. That's where a personalized look can pay off.
How we'd think about your situation
At Capital Investment Advisors, claiming age isn't a standalone decision, it's one piece of your full retirement income plan. We model how Social Security timing interacts with your portfolio withdrawals, taxes, and spousal benefits so the choice fits the life you envision.
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Still your call
Get a personalized answer for your situation
Ask a CIA advisor your Social Security timing question. We'll factor in your income, your spouse, and your taxes, then share what we'd actually recommend.
*Data as of June 4, 2026. Capital Investment Advisors, LLC is an SEC registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply any level of skill or training. Social Security claiming strategies should be evaluated based on an individual's circumstances. Examples are for illustrative and educational purposes only and are not intended as individualized investment, legal, or tax advice. Future benefits, tax consequences, and financial outcomes will vary. Capital Investment Advisors does not guarantee any specific result or outcome from implementing a particular claiming strategy.