33% of Near-Retirees Plan to Claim Social Security Early -- Here's Why That May Be a Big Mistake

33% of Near-Retirees Plan to Claim Social Security Early -- Here's Why That May Be a Big Mistake

If you file for benefits before FRA, you might end up living a very cash-strapped existence. In a recent Allianz Life study, 33% of near-retirees said they plan to claim Social Security before reaching FRA. The earliest age to sign up for Social Security is 62, so filing at that point is apt to result in an extreme hit to your benefits.