I’m Retired and Regret Claiming Social Security at 70 — Here’s Why

GOBankingRates ^ | May 13, 2025 | Laura Beck

[where's_the_Outrage?]

We’ve all heard the advice: Wait until you’re 70 to claim Social Security and you’ll get the biggest possible monthly check. Tim F., a retired healthcare worker from Arizona, followed this advice to the letter. But now, at 75, he’s having second thoughts.

GOBankingRates spoke with Tim to understand why he wishes he’d claimed his benefits earlier. His insights might just change the way you think about your own retirement plans.

Tim thought he was doing everything right.

“Everything you read says you should wait until 70 if you can,” he shared. “I guess I thought, well, I can, so I should. I didn’t stop to think about if that was actually the best plan for me.”

Tim likes larger monthly checks, but he’s not sure they were worth the price.

“Looking back, I would’ve wanted that extra money when my wife was still around.”.....

Tim doesn’t believe waiting until 70 is wrong for everyone. But he does have some advice for those trying to make this decision:

Consider your health. “Be realistic about how you might feel in 5 years,” said Tim.

Talk it over with your significant other. It’s not a good decision if it’s not made together.

Think about what you want to do in retirement. Travel? Spend time with grandkids? Take up knitting? Make a list and let your finances follow.

Look at your other income sources. Side hustles don’t have to end with retirement.

[caver]

Yes, I am familiar with that song.
One of my very best friends would tell me the story about how he picked up his girlfirend/wife when she was hitchhiking. He had one of those mid 70’s conversion vans. He picked her up after some multi day concert and brought her home with him. And the rest is history.