Take Your Spouse's Needs Into Account When Claiming Social Security
Filing for Social Security at the right time could help you make the most of your benefits and ensure that you don't encounter financial difficulties during retirement. If you claim Social Security at your full retirement age, you'll get the exact monthly benefit your earnings history entitles you to. That age is either 66, 67, or somewhere in between, depending on the year you were born.
You don't have to wait until full retirement age to claim benefits, though. You can file as early as age 62 and get your money much sooner, but if you do, those monthly payments will be slashed by 25% to 30%, depending on your full retirement age. There's also the option to delay benefits past full retirement age and grow them by 8% a year, up until age 70.
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Source Fool.com
