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Social Security?
I'm Dr. Ed. I ran the 3rd busiest Social Security office in the country and I've answered over 10,000 questions from real people just like you.
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Myth Buster
True or False: If you claim Social Security at 62, your benefit is permanently reduced for life.
Dr. Ed says: Many people don't realize this reduction is permanent. If your full retirement age is 67 and you claim at 62, your benefit could be reduced by about 30% — and it stays that way. There's no automatic bump-up later. This is one of the most common misunderstandings I see.
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Insider Knowledge
In 2026, how much can you earn while receiving Social Security before age 67 without losing any benefits?
Dr. Ed says: For 2026, the earnings limit for people under full retirement age is $24,480. Go over that, and Social Security withholds $1 for every $2 you earn above the limit. A lot of people get surprised by this — and then they get an overpayment notice. The good news? Once you hit full retirement age, there's no limit at all.
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The Big Decision
If you wait until age 70 to claim Social Security instead of 67, roughly how much more will your monthly benefit be?
Dr. Ed says: You earn Delayed Retirement Credits of 8% per year past your full retirement age. Wait 3 years (from 67 to 70) and that's about 24% more every month for the rest of your life. Whether that's the right move depends on your situation — but most people don't even know this option exists.
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