2. Avoid claiming too early
The age at which you start collecting Social Security makes a big difference in the size of your checks. You can start claiming benefits as early as age 62, but your checks will be as much as 30 percent less than you would have received if you waited until your full retirement age (FRA), which varies depending on your birth year.
And if you die first, your spouse’s Social Security survivor benefits will be smaller than if you had waited until FRA.
Some people have no choice. Many retirees stop work earlier than they may have planned because of illness or unemployment, or to be caregivers for a family member. If that is the case for you, try to use other sources of income if possible, so you can hold off claiming Social Security benefits until you’re older.