When to Claim Social Security: 3 Timing Scenarios

With Social Security, there are always plenty of questions to answer, but perhaps the most fundamental one can be boiled down to one word: When. When should you start taking benefits?

When do you turn on the income stream that is a lifeline for so many folks: As soon as possible -- and with the lowest monthly benefit possible -- at age 62? Wait until your full retirement age for full benefits? Or put it off until age 70 to earn delayed retirement credits and get about 75% more per month than if you had retired at 62?

To explore what might be the best option for you, let's take a look at three people's own personal decisions and the factors that helped drive them. Compare their life's stories to your own to get some ideas of