Fidelity Investments
When should you
claim social security?
Answer 5 questions to learn more.
Include your salary as well as any other income you will receive annually, like overtime or bonuses.
Women live longer than men on average,
so this could affect your benefit.
This could impact the age at which you choose to claim your benefits.
If you are or have been married, you may be eligible for benefits based on your spouse's earnings history.
Claiming early may maximize your lifetime benefit
Why claim early?
Even though your monthly benefit will be higher if you wait to claim, your gender and family history of health and longevity indicate that claiming early may maximize your benefit over the course of your lifetime.
Waiting to claim may maximize your lifetime benefit
You can start claiming Social Security benefits at 62. But you will not receive 100% of your monthly benefits unless you can afford to wait until your full retirement age. And if you can afford to wait longer, you can get even more.
Why wait to claim?
By waiting until age 70 to claim benefits, a person like you could get the highest monthly benefit possible of $XXXX/mo. That's $XXXX more over your lifetime than if you start claiming at age 62.
Claiming early may maximize your lifetime benefit
Why claim early?
Even though your monthly benefit will be higher if you wait to claim, your gender and family history of health and longevity indicate that claiming early may maximize your benefit over the course of your lifetime.
And since you indicated that you are married, you may be eligible to claim Social Security based on your spouse's earnings. This option could mean a significantly higher monthly payment for you if your spouse had a higher income than you over their prime earning years.
Waiting to claim may maximize your lifetime benefit
You can start claiming Social Security benefits at 62. But you will not receive 100% of your monthly benefits unless you can afford to wait until your full retirement age. And if you can afford to wait longer, you can get even more.
Why wait to claim?
By waiting until age 70 to claim benefits, a person like you could get the highest monthly benefit possible of $XXXX/mo. That's $XXXX more over your lifetime than if you start claiming at age 62.
And since you indicated that you are married, you may be eligible to claim Social Security based on your spouse's earnings. This option could mean a significantly higher monthly payment for you if your spouse had a higher income than you over their prime earning years.
Claiming early may maximize your lifetime benefit
Why claim early?
Even though your monthly benefit will be higher if you wait to claim, your gender and family history of health and longevity indicate that claiming early may maximize your benefit over the course of your lifetime.
And since you indicated that you are widowed, you may also be eligible to claim Social Security based on your spouse's earnings. This option could mean a significantly higher monthly payment if your spouse had a higher income than you over their prime earning years. You may be able to claim as early as age 60.
Waiting to claim may maximize your lifetime benefit
You can start claiming Social Security benefits at 62. But you will not receive 100% of your monthly benefits unless you can afford to wait until your full retirement age. And if you can afford to wait longer, you can get even more.
Why wait to claim?
By waiting until age 70 to claim benefits, a person like you could get the highest monthly benefit possible of $XXXX/mo. That's $XXXX more over your lifetime than if you start claiming at age 62.
And since you indicated that you are widowed, you may also be eligible to claim Social Security based on your spouse's earnings. This option could mean a significantly higher monthly payment if your spouse had a higher income than you over their prime earning years. You may be able to claim as early as age 60.
Claiming early may maximize your lifetime benefit
Why claim early?
Even though your monthly benefit will be higher if you wait to claim, your gender and family history of health and longevity indicate that claiming early may maximize your benefit over the course of your lifetime.
And since you indicated that you are divorced, but were not married 10 or more years, you will not be eligible to claim Social Security based on your former spouse's earnings.
Waiting to claim may maximize your lifetime benefit
You can start claiming Social Security benefits at 62. But you will not receive 100% of your monthly benefits unless you can afford to wait until your full retirement age. And if you can afford to wait longer, you can get even more.
Why wait to claim?
By waiting until age 70 to claim benefits, a person like you could get the highest monthly benefit possible of $XXXX/mo. That's $XXXX more over your lifetime than if you start claiming at age 62.
And since you indicated that you are divorced, but were not married 10 or more years, you will not be eligible to claim Social Security based on your former spouse's earnings.
Claiming early may maximize your lifetime benefit
Why claim early?
Even though your monthly benefit will be higher if you wait to claim, your gender and family history of health and longevity indicate that claiming early may maximize your benefit over the course of your lifetime.
And since you indicated that you are divorced and, were married 10 or more years, you may also be eligible to claim Social Security based on your former spouse's earnings. This option could mean a significantly higher monthly payment if your former spouse had a higher income over their prime earning years.
Waiting to claim may maximize your lifetime benefit
You can start claiming Social Security benefits at 62. But you will not receive 100% of your monthly benefits unless you can afford to wait until your full retirement age. And if you can afford to wait longer, you can get even more.
Why wait to claim?
By waiting until age 70 to claim benefits, a person like you could get the highest monthly benefit possible of $XXXX/mo. That's $XXXX more over your lifetime than if you start claiming at age 62.
And since you indicated that you are divorced and, were married 10 or more years, you may also be eligible to claim Social Security based on your former spouse's earnings. This option could mean a significantly higher monthly payment if your former spouse had a higher income over their prime earning years.
See examples of the monthly percentage you can receive at different ages.
Ready for your next step?
To see how your Social Security benefits can factor into your overall plan for income in retirement, log
in as a customer or as a guest to our Planning & Guidance Center.
Or call 800.Fidelity to speak directly
with one of our investment professionals.
Learn more
Now that you've got a better idea of when to claim your benefits, here are some ways Social Security can fit into your long-term income planning.
Watch >5 Key Considerations Before Claiming Your Benefit
Watch this video on how to get the most out of your Social Security benefit.
Read >Where Will Your Retirement Income Come From?
How to set a course for maintaining your current lifestyle in retirement.
Read >Social Security Tips for Couples
Three strategies that may help married couples dramatically boost their lifetime benefits.
