There's a reason some people aim to file for Social Security at age 70 despite being entitled to their monthly benefits without a reduction much sooner than that. For each year a Social Security claim is delayed past full retirement age (FRA),

For as long as it's been an option, Social Security's earliest claiming age -- 62 -- has been one of its most popular. But that's changing.

Fact checked by Vikki Velasquez If you're nearing retirement, you’ve probably wondered when to start taking Social Security benefits. For years, age 65 was considered the “normal” retirement age, but a law passed in 1983 gradually raised this age to reflect the increasing life expectancy of Americans.