The resounding advice about filing early for Social Security retirement benefits is pretty unambiguous: Don’t do it. However, ...

At 62, the average American can expect to live past 80. Based on simple longevity, you’ll reap the most total Social Security dollars in your lifetime if you wait until 70 to claim them.

However, for some individuals facing a harsh reality – immediate financial hardship – claiming Social Security at 62 can become the most strategically sound decision.

The most popular age for claiming Social Security is 62, the earliest age for which benefits can be received. However, the full retirement age for anyone born in 1960 or later is 67.

If you're divorced, you can often get Social Security benefits based on your ex-spouse's work record. Know the rules about when and how you can claim.

Simply put, if you signed up for Social Security at 62 but regret it after the fact, you can undo your filing and claim benefits again at a later age, thereby increasing them.

In an example provided by the Social Security Administration, a typical American who claims Social Security at 62 could claim a monthly check worth $1,400. By age 70, the benefit rises to ...

Discover how the age you retire impacts your Social Security maximum benefit—and what it could mean for your tax situation ...