A growing number of Americans are choosing to claim Social Security benefits earlier than planned, driven by mounting fears of potential benefit reductions and administrative disruption under former President Donald Trump.

There’s a reason seniors are told to think carefully before signing up for their Social Security benefits. The age at which you file your claim will have a direct impact on the amount of money Social Security pays you each month.

The full retirement age for Social Security – the age in which you get 100% of the program's benefits – has risen over recent years.