When to start collecting social security benefits is certainly dependant on each person’s financial situation.  To collect your full benefit, you must wait until your Full Retirement Age (FRA), which is currently age 66 or 67 depending on your date of birth.   Delaying benefits beyond your FRA results in an enhanced benefit and is a good social security maximization strategy if you plan to live a long time.  You can also start collecting a reduced benefit as early as age 62.  Although it might not be the best financial decision, claiming social security benefits prior to FRA is still the most popular strategy according to a relatively recent report by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College.  Some in this group of social security recipients may still work, but they have to worry about the social security “earnings test”, which may result in a temporary reduction in social security benefits.  A common myth is that these benefits are lost forever, but the truth is that they will eventually be recouped if you live long enough.  Click the link below for more information.

https://www.nolo.com/will-i-get-penalized-working-while-collecting-social-security-retirement