A closer look Social Security: How to Maximize Your Benefits

In Brief

• Deciding when to file for Social Security benefits can be challenging, involving trade-offs that hinge on your retirement goals, marital status, age, and expected lifespan.
• A "break-even" analysis can identify when a stream of higher Social Security payments over a shorter period is likely to overtake lower payments that began earlier.
• If you’re at or near retirement age, working with an expert can help you determine the best time for you to file for Social Security benefits.