The 1 Thing You Must Do Before Claiming Social Security Benefits
Claiming Social Security could end up being one of the most stressful decisions you'll have to make in the context of your retirement planning. And there's a reason for that. Although the monthly benefit you're entitled to in retirement is calculated based on your earnings history, your filing age also helps determine how much money Social Security pays you each month.If you claim benefits at full retirement age, you're considered to be filing on time. That means you'll get the exact monthly benefit your earnings history renders you eligible for -- no reductions or increases. Full retirement age is 67 for anyone born in or after 1960.Image source: Getty Images.Continue reading

Claiming Social Security could end up being one of the most stressful decisions you'll have to make in the context of your retirement planning. And there's a reason for that. Although the monthly benefit you're entitled to in retirement is calculated based on your earnings history, your filing age also helps determine how much money Social Security pays you each month.
If you claim benefits at full retirement age, you're considered to be filing on time. That means you'll get the exact monthly benefit your earnings history renders you eligible for -- no reductions or increases. Full retirement age is 67 for anyone born in or after 1960.
Image source: Getty Images.