Weighty decision: When to take Social Security

One of your important sources of retirement income will likely be Social Security, but when should you start taking it?

You can start collecting Social Security benefits at 62, but your checks will be considerably bigger if you wait until your full retirement age, which is likely between 66 and 67. You could even wait until you’re 70, at which point the payments will max out, except for yearly cost-of-living adjustments.

But if you need the money, you need the money, even if you’re just 62 or any age before full retirement age.