Retirement Social Security

The Social Security Advice Most Retirees Wish They’d Ignored

Learn from these retirees to avoid making the same mistake.

By Lee Huffman

Edited by Laura Hohenstein

Updated Jan. 19, 2026

At some point, you were probably advised to claim your Social Security benefits as soon as you can. It sounds smart. You get a guaranteed income right away, and a "bird in hand is worth two in the bush" because you never know if Social Security will be there if you wait too long.

But here's the problem: claiming Social Security early is the advice retirees most often wish they'd ignored when trying to maximize their senior benefits. The regret doesn't show up immediately. It shows up years later when your monthly check feels too small, inflation bites harder than expected, and there's no way to undo the decision while struggling to pay your household bills.

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How Social Security claiming ages work

You can start Social Security as early as age 62. But if you do, your benefit is permanently reduced compared to what you'd receive at age 67, which is the full retirement age (FRA) for anyone born after 1960.

According to the Social Security Administration, claiming at 62 reduces your monthly benefit by up to 30% for the rest of your life. However, for every year you delay filing for benefits past full retirement age, your check grows by about 8% per year until age 70.

Social Security is one of the few retirement income sources that's guaranteed for life. Your benefit also automatically adjusts for inflation each year. While it is tempting to file for benefits as soon as you're eligible, your monthly checks get bigger simply by waiting to claim them. Yet many retirees give up that massive benefit far too easily.

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The biggest regret: claiming Social Security too early

Most people don't claim early because they want to. They do it because they feel like they have to.

Maybe you retired earlier than planned, or your job ended, and you needed income to pay the bills. Or you just assumed that Social Security wouldn't matter much later because you weren't sure how long you'd live.

Once you claim early, though, the reduction is permanent. Every cost-of-living adjustment applies to a smaller base benefit. And the longer you live, the more expensive that decision becomes. The gap between what you receive by filing early versus what you'd get if you waited until full retirement age gets bigger and bigger every year.

Filing early and waiting until full retirement age has a breakeven point of 78 years and 8 months, according to Britannica Money. If you die sooner, you're better off claiming early. Live longer, and it makes sense to delay filing for benefits. According to the Social Security Administration's life expectancy data, an average 62-year-old can expect to live past age 83. If you don't have serious health concerns, it may make sense to wait to claim benefits.

Regret #2: not coordinating Social Security with your spouse

Another common mistake tied to early claiming is treating Social Security as an individual decision when it's really a household one.

Claiming early can reduce survivor benefits for your spouse, lock the lower-earning spouse into a smaller lifetime check, and eliminate flexibility later on. Many couples don't realize how much the higher earner's claiming decision affects the surviving spouse until it's too late.

Before filing for Social Security, analyze your spouse's work history and their projected retirement benefits. If they'll rely on your Social Security survivor's benefit or spousal benefit, calculate how your decision may affect them while you're alive and after you've passed away.

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Regret #3: relying on casual advice instead of strategy

Some retirees say that they took Social Security early because everyone they knew did. When you don't know what to do, following your friends' advice often seems the best option. But keep in mind that Social Security (and other retirement) decisions aren't one-size-fits-all.

When you rely on friends, coworkers, or outdated rules of thumb, you often fix a short-term cash issue by creating a long-term income problem. While you can get ideas from friends and family, you are better off speaking with a licensed professional who can run the numbers for you and identify your options. If you don't have access to a professional, there are plenty of free online calculators on my Social Security and other personal finances websites.

How to avoid claiming Social Security early

If you're nearing retirement or have already retired, you usually have more options than you think. Here are a few ways to fund your retirement without claiming Social Security before your full retirement age.

Work a little longer. Even an extra year or two can boost your Social Security benefits, allow for extra retirement account contributions, and let your investments grow, reducing pressure on savings.
Use other income first. IRAs, 401(k)s, brokerage accounts, and rental income can help bridge the gap. Implement tax-efficient withdrawal strategies with your advisors to maximize tax brackets and income exclusions.
Consider a reverse mortgage carefully. For some homeowners, it can provide cash flow that allows delayed claiming. Watch out for expensive closing costs and higher interest rates compared to a traditional mortgage.
Buy a less expensive home. Downsizing to a smaller home or moving to a lower-cost region to free up cash or eliminate mortgage payments is another good option.
Cut expenses strategically. Downsizing or trimming discretionary spending can make waiting possible.

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Bottom line

Social Security isn't just another retirement check. It's one of the most valuable, reliable income streams you'll ever have. Claiming Social Security before full retirement age may feel like the safe move, but it turns out to be one of the most surprising retirement mistakes you can make.

A little planning, patience, and flexibility can mean a much bigger check for the rest of your life (and for your spouse). Many retirees wish that they delayed filing for Social Security, and the six strategies above can help you avoid making the same mistake.

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