Claiming Social Security at 62? Before You Do, There's 1 Key Move You Have to Make

Key Points Age 62 is the earliest to sign up for Social Security. You'll face a pretty significant reduction in your monthly checks compared to waiting for full retirement age. Before you file early, make sure a smaller benefit supports your budget. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › If you're thinking of filing for Social Security at 62, you're not alone. A lot of people choose 62 as their filing age because it's the earliest point to sign up for Social Security . But as you're probably aware, claiming Social Security at 62 comes with a big drawback. Each month you claim Social Security ahead of your full retirement age results in a permanent cut to your monthly benefits.