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The choice of a lifetime: Key insights influencing Americans' filing decisions for Social Security retirement benefits

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When to file for Social Security is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in your lifetime. By making a filing decision with intention and a greater level of understanding, you can optimize your benefits — securing a larger foundation of monthly income for your retirement. In fact, the Social Security Administration reports that filing at age 70 results in monthly retirement benefits that are as much as 77% higher than filing at age 62.1

Too often, however, Americans claim benefits early locking in reduced payments for life (and possibly for the life of their surviving spouse, too).2 What's more, the Social Security Administration reports benefits are on pace to be cut by roughly 20% for all recipients beginning as early as 2032.3

Our resources can help you educate yourself on Social Security so that you can have more meaningful conversations with a financial professional — and make the filing decision that’s best for you.

Read the findings from our 13th annual Social Security survey

The Nationwide Retirement Institute® has teamed with The Harris Poll® for each of the past 13 years to survey Americans’ knowledge of and concerns about Social Security. We explore how guidance and planning needs differ between women and men and amongst various generational groups or ethnicities. We believe our findings can help Americans make a more informed choice of a lifetime.

Previous survey results

2025 | 2024 (PDF) | 2023 (PDF) | 2022 (PDF) | 2021 (PDF) | 2020 (PDF) | 2019 (PDF) | 2018 (PDF) | 2017 (PDF) | 2016 (PDF) | 2015 (PDF) | 2014 (PDF)

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[1] This figure is based on an individual with a full retirement age (FRA) of 67, comparing early filing at age 62 and receiving reduced benefits of 70% of the FRA amount versus a delayed filing at age 70 and receiving credits equal to 124% of their FRA benefit.
[2] "2025 Annual Statistical Supplement, Table 6.A4," Social Security Administration (03/26) https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/supplement/
[3] "The 2026 Annual Report of the Board of Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Federal Disability Insurance Trust Funds," Social Security Administration (June 2026). https://www.ssa.gov/oact/TR/2026/tr2026.pdf (PDF)

This material should be regarded as educational information on Social Security and is not intended to provide specific advice. If you have questions regarding your particular situation, you should contact the Social Security Administration and/or your legal or tax advisors.