At what age can most workers claim Social Security retirement benefits, and how does delaying benefits affect monthly amounts?

• A. Benefits can begin as early as 62 with reductions; delaying benefits increases monthly payments until full retirement age or later.
• B. Benefits start at 70 with maximum benefits.
• C. Benefits start at 65 with full benefits.
• D. Benefits start at 60 with no reductions.

Answer: (A)

You’re being tested on how Social Security retirement benefits work with age and timing. You can start benefits as early as age 62, but taking them then means the monthly amount is permanently reduced compared with what you’d get if you wait. If you skip claiming and wait beyond that, your monthly benefit rises because you earn delayed retirement credits. Those credits increase your benefit until you reach full retirement age (FRA), which for most people today is 66 to 67 depending on birth year, and you can delay up to age 70 for the highest possible monthly payment. After 70 there’s no extra increase, so waiting longer won’t boost the monthly check further.

So the best description is that benefits can begin as early as 62 with reductions, and delaying benefits increases monthly payments up to the full retirement age (or until age 70 for the maximum).