Social Security: Why Early Claimers Worry the Government

Social Security Administration building. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Taking early Social Security benefits is popular, and it’s a tempting way to make it possible for you to retire earlier. But a recent government study that has caused some confusion among those nearing retirement shows a lot of concern about whether people are making the best possible choices with their Social Security benefits.

In the following video, Dan Caplinger, The Motley Fool’s director of investment planning, takes a closer look at the recent study from the Government Accountability Office. Dan notes that there’s been a lot of confusion about one of the study’s claims, which makes it sound as though your expected lifetime benefits aren’t ultimately affected by when you claim Social Security. But Dan puts that statement back into the context of the entire study, noting that the report immediately goes on to explain why it truly does matter when you claim benefits, going through a number of situations in which claiming early benefits can hurt your own finances and those of your fellow family members. Dan recommends that you take a look at a free copy of the GAO study and draw your own conclusions from what it has to say.

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The article Social Security: Why Early Claimers Worry the Government originally appeared on Fool.com.

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Dan Caplinger and The Motley Fool have no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools don’t all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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