Almost Half Of Non-Retirees Plan To File For Social Security Before Age 67, And Only 10% Plan To Wait Until Age 70

Core Insights - A significant number of Americans are planning to file for Social Security benefits early due to financial anxieties, despite understanding that delaying benefits can lead to higher monthly payments [2][3][4]. Group 1: Financial Concerns - Approximately 87% of non-retired Americans express concerns about generating income after regular paychecks cease, with over half worried about outliving their savings [2]. - The survey indicates that 44% of non-retirees intend to claim benefits before reaching the full retirement age of 67, while only 10% plan to wait until age 70 for maximum benefits [3]. - The primary motivations for early filing include immediate access to funds (37%), fears regarding the solvency of Social Security (36%), and the necessity of income to cover expenses (34%) [6][7]. Group 2: Retirement Income Expectations - Non-retired participants estimate they will need an average of $5,032 per month to retire comfortably, relying on various sources such as cash savings, workplace retirement plans, and investment income [5]. - There is a notable uncertainty among workers regarding their ability to replace at least 75% of their final paycheck in retirement, contributing to anxiety about losing regular paychecks [6].