For years, financial advisors have preached the same mantra: “Wait until 70 to claim Social Security.” The math was clear—waiting maximized your guaranteed monthly income for life. However, in 2026, behavioral economics is shifting, and a growing number of Americans are ignoring this advice and pulling the ripcord at age 62. Faced with a unique convergence of high living costs, market uncertainty, and grim headlines about the program’s future, seniors are prioritizing “bird in the hand” liquidity over “bird in the bush” maximization. It is a rational response to an irrational economic environment. Here are five reasons why the trend is flipping back toward early claiming this year.
1. The “2034” Insolvency Fear
The Social Security Trust Fund is projected to be depleted by the early to mid-2030s, potentially triggering an automatic 21% benefit cut if Congress doesn’t act. In 2026, this date feels uncomfortably close—just 8 years away. Many 62-year-olds are calculating that they would rather receive 100% of a reduced benefit now than wait until 70, only to face a statutory cut just as they start collecting. This “use it or lose it” mentality is driving a rush for the exit. They want to lock in their status as a beneficiary before the rules change.
2. Inflation Outpacing COLAs
While the 2.8% COLA for 2026 is helpful, it lags behind the cumulative inflation of food, housing, and insurance over the last three years. Seniors struggling to pay bills today cannot afford to wait 8 years for a larger check. They need the cash flow now to cover the gap between their savings and their expenses. Claiming at 62 provides an immediate income stream of $1,500 to $1,800 a month that relieves the pressure on their dwindling savings. It is a survival strategy, not an optimization strategy.
3. Sequence of Returns Risk
The stock market volatility of the mid-2020s has scared many retirees. If you retire into a “down market,” selling stocks to pay for living expenses permanently destroys your portfolio’s ability to recover (Sequence of Returns Risk). By claiming Social Security at 62, seniors can use the benefit to cover their bills, allowing them to leave their 401(k) investments untouched to recover. In this scenario, the “lower” Social Security check acts as a shield that protects the “larger” investment portfolio. It buys time for the market to bounce back.
4. Health and Longevity Realism
The pandemic era shifted how people view mortality. There is a prevailing sentiment in 2026 that “tomorrow is not promised.” Seniors are increasingly choosing to grab the money while they are healthy enough to enjoy it, rather than betting on living to 90. If you claim at 62 and invest the money or travel, you get utility from those dollars immediately. If you wait until 70 but develop health issues at 68, the “higher benefit” is of little consolation. The “break-even point” (usually around age 80) feels too distant for many to gamble on.
5. High Interest Rates on Debt
Many seniors are entering retirement with mortgage debt or credit card balances carrying high interest rates. Waiting until 70 to claim Social Security makes no sense if you are paying 20% interest on debt in the meantime. Claiming early provides the cash flow to service or eliminate this debt, instantly improving the retiree’s financial stability. The guaranteed “return” of paying off high-interest debt outweighs the 8% annual growth of delaying benefits.
It’s a Personal Hedge
Claiming early isn’t always a mistake; it’s a hedge against uncertainty. In 2026, having cash in the bank today is worth more to many seniors than a promise of more cash in 2034.
Did you claim at 62 because of the “insolvency” rumors? Leave a comment below—tell us your reason!
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Teri Monroe started her career in communications working for local government and nonprofits. Today, she is a freelance finance and lifestyle writer and small business owner. In her spare time, she loves golfing with her husband, taking her dog Milo on long walks, and playing pickleball with friends.
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