In the United States, the minimum age to apply for Social Security retirement benefits is 62. However, opting for early retirement comes with a 30% reduction in monthly benefits. This article explores whether you can continue working full-time while receiving these benefits and how it impacts your financial future.

Social Security is best known for providing retirement income to tens of millions of retired workers, but there's a lot more to the program. One of the most important, but often misunderstood, components is Social Security spousal benefits.

Raising the Social Security retirement age to 69 has the support of some politicians. Here's how it would affect your benefits if it happens.

So, anyone that claims Social Security as soon as possible — thereby incurring the largest benefit reduction (30% for those born in 1960 or later) — would shortchange themselves by thousands of dollars. That's because delaying benefits beyond age 62 results in a higher payout, though there is no advantage to delaying past 70.

Waiting to claim Social Security until your full retirement age (or, even better, until age 70) will increase your retirement benefits. Here are three ways to boost your retirement income without holding off on claiming Social Security.

Millions of Americans rely on Social Security benefits, and the program is something millions more look forward to when they plan to retire. It's true that signing up for benefits can be a long, drawn out process,