THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, JAnuARy 30, 2026 Page 15 Sa nr Sa a y Senior Seni by Jim Miller When Do Most Americans Take Social Security? Dear Savvy Senior, What are the most popular ages that people start taking their Social Security retirement benefi ts? I’m turning 62 later this year and trying to decide when to start taking my benefi ts. Born in 64 Dear 64, You can sign up to begin your Social Security retirement benefi ts any time after age 62. However, your monthly payments will be larger for each month you delay claiming them up until age 70. This adds up to around 6 to 8 percent higher payments every year you delay. To get a breakdown on exactly how much your claiming age affects your benefi ts, visit Social Security’s Retirement Age Calculator at SSA.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/ageincrease. html. This tool provides your full retirement age (FRA) – which is 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later – and shows how much your benefi ts will be reduced by taking early payments or increased by delaying them. In the meantime, here’s a rundown of when people start receiving retirement benefits (according to the most recent SSA statistical data), and how signing up at each age impacts your payout. Age 62: This is the earliest possible age you can sign up for Social Security. According to the SSA, in 2024, 23.3 percent of women and 22 percent of men signed up for Social Security at 62. But if you sign up at this age, you’ll get a 30 percent smaller Social Security payment if your FRA is 67. Age 63: Age 63 is one of the least popular options for choosing to start Social Security benefi ts – 6.2 percent of men and 6.4 percent of women began claiming their benefits at this age in 2024. A worker with a FRA of 67 will get a 25 percent pay cut by signing up at this age. Age 64: This is another relatively unpopular age to begin collecting Social Security benefi ts – just 6.5 percent of men and 7 percent of women started collecting at age 64. Social Security payments are reduced by 20 percent for those with an FRA of 67. Age 65: In 2024, 15.3 percent of men and women decided to collect Social Security at age 65, which is also the enrollment age for Medicare. By starting at this age, you’ll see your monthly payments reduced by 13.3 percent if your FRA is 67. Age 66: This is FRA for people born between 1943 and 1954, which has made this a very popular age to begin collecting. In 2024, 27 percent of men and 25.3 percent of women sign up for benefi ts at 66. But since your FRA is 67, you’ll get a 6.7 percent pay cut if you sign up here. Age 67: People born in 1960 or later will be able to claim unreduced Social Security payments starting at this age. In 2024, 14.5 percent of men and 13 percent of women did this. Age 68: In 2024, 12.5 percent of men and 12.3 percent of women delayed their Social Security benefi ts until age 68. Waiting one extra year beyond your FRA of 67 will increase your benefi t by 8 percent. Age 69: In 2024, 14.5 percent of men and 13.2 percent of women claimed their retirement benefits at 69, which increased their benefi ts by 16 percent. Age 70 and older: Waiting to age 70 off ers the biggest possible payout – a 24 percent increase over your FRA of 67. In 2024, 8.4 percent of women and 9.1 percent of men held out until this age. Send your questions or comments to questions@ savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070. nior ior Announcing Greater Boston Stage Company’s Young Company Winter Festival 2026! G reater Boston Stage Company is thrilled to announce its Young Company Winter Festival 2026, running from January 29–February 8, 2026, in Stoneham, Massachusetts. This year’s festival will feature four dynamic producDONOR MONTH | FROM PAGE 5 out this fall,” said Barkley. “It was a no-brainer for me to give again. It only takes about an hour and once you realize in that short amount of time how much help it can bring – it’s a beautiful thing.” Upcoming blood donation opportunities Jan. 5-31: Charlestown 1/24/2026: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Charlestown Teamsters, 544 Main Street Winthrop 1/14/2026: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Winthrop Elks, 191 Washington Avenue How to donate blood Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood. org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types tions performed by students in grades 1–12: • “The Wizard of Oz Jr.” • “Beetlejuice Jr.” • “The Addams Family Younger@Part” • “Alice By Heart” Each production showcases are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements. Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/ RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App. ~ Home of the Week ~ SAUGUS - 1st AD - Sought-after Sprawling Ranch boasting 8 rooms, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, eat-in kitchen with ceramic tile floor w/slider to heated breezeway, dining room open to large living room with gas fireplace – great for entertaining! Finished lower level with newer ct flooring and fireplace. Central air w/newer condenser, new hot water, new walkways and patio, 1 car garage with newer door, large, level lot, located in desirable Lynn Fells neighborhood, close to everything! MINT-move right in! Offered at $799,900 335 Central Street, Saugus, MA 01906 (781) 233-7300 View all our listings at: CarpenitoRealEstate.com Advocate Online: www.advocatenews.net the creativity, talent and dedication of our young performers, guided by an exceptional team of directors, designers and production staff . Students come from all over the Greater Boston area to participate each year.
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