There's another option on the other side of this spectrum, however. Although it ultimately means much smaller payments, there's a case to be made for claiming at the earliest possible age of 62. Just don't take such a decision lightly, since it's a permanent choice.

It’s never too early to start thinking about retirement. Not only to ensure you have enough saved but also so that you can maximize your Social Security.

C ongress passed the Social Security Fairness Act in late 2024, which was signed into law by the President in early January 2025. The new law repeals two provisions from the 1983