Regardless of whether you have just entered the labor force or left it a long time ago, there's a high probability you'll rely on your Social Security check, in some capacity, to make ends meet. For 23 years,

We carefully adjusted our living expenses so that we could be satisfied with less income compared to our working years. It also helped that we had some control over the hours we worked and that our work involved helping people. Both of these conditions helped us enjoy our semi-retirement more.

Your full retirement age depends on when you were born. Those born between 1943 and 1954 reached full retirement age at 66. Your full retirement age will increase by two months for each year you were born after 1954 until maxing out at age 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later.

Applying early for your Social Security benefits is doable, but the financial hit you're likely to take may make it less worth it.

Key Points You won’t be forced to claim Social Security if you don’t want benefits. Once you turn 70, there’s nothing to be gained by waiting to signing up. Understand the program’s rules so you don’t lose out on benefits.