3 Myths About Your Social Security Filing Age

Figuring out when to claim your Social Security benefits is a tricky question, and people wrestling with the decision often rely on several widely followed rules of thumb. Unfortunately, doing that can potentially lead you astray, because these are generalities, not rules, and they aren't as clear-cut as you might think.

Let's take a long, hard look at three "facts" about Social Security filing age and the real math behind them. All three are only true to a point -- and as you're planning your Social Security filing age, you should understand the truth behind these three principles.

First, let's look at the concept of delaying benefits.

1. You Should Always Delay Your Social Security Filing Age to 70

This one is the easiest to understand why it's wrong -- but the component of truth in it can be important, because it could work in