# When Should You Claim Social Security? The Numbers Might Surprise You

Here's the awkward truth: most people are leaving serious money on the table with Social Security.

A 2022 study from the National Bureau of Economic Research analyzed claiming strategies and found something striking—**the median household loses over $182,000 in lifetime benefits** (in 2022 dollars) by claiming too early.

The math is simple:
- Claim at 62? Smallest monthly check
- Claim at 70? Largest monthly check

But here's where it gets interesting. Even though the monthly payments are smaller at 62, that doesn't mean the lifetime total is better. The study found that **over 90% of workers aged 45-62 should actually wait until age 70** to maximize lifetime spending power.

Yet what's happening in reality? Last year, about 25% of new retirees claimed at 62, and nearly 50% claimed before 66. They're essentially leaving hundreds of thousands of dollars unclaimed.

The catch? This assumes you live a typical lifespan and can actually afford to wait. If you have below-average life expectancy or need the money now, the calculation changes completely. That's why talking to a financial advisor matters—one-size-fits-all advice here is dangerous.

But if your goal is pure lifetime income maximization? The data is clear: **delay, delay, delay.**