You can begin taking Social Security as early as age 62, but your monthly benefit will be permanently reduced. Waiting until your full retirement age — which is 66 or 67 depending on your birth year — gives you your full benefit. Delaying further until age 70 increases your benefit by approximately 8% per year. The right time to claim depends on your health, other income sources, tax situation, and whether you are married. For married couples in particular, Social Security timing can be one of the most impactful decisions in a retirement plan. We can help you model different claiming scenarios to find the strategy that works best for your situation.