Social security is a great insurance policy. But sometimes people mistakenly regard it as just one more investment that they should try to maximize.
That kind of thinking might persuade you to take benefits sooner rather than later and can have a big impact on how much money you and your family receive.
Central to this problematic point of view is a breakeven analysis. Between the ages of 62 and 70, your benefits rise about 7% or 8% for each year you defer taking them. Wait until age 70, and your monthly benefit will be 76% higher, on an inflation-adjusted basis, than if you claimed at age 62.