Here is another way to look at this situation. If your age 66 benefit is $2,000 then your age 62 benefit would be $1,500. If you start collecting the $1,500 benefit at age 62, you will have received a total of $288,000 when you reach age 78. If you start collecting your $2,000 benefit at age 66, will will have received a total of $288,00 when your reach age 78. It is only after age 78 that you start gaining by waiting until 66 to start collecting your social security.
The average life span in the US is now 78.4 years. I know we all hope to live longer than that. I started collecting social security at age 62. I had already retired so there wasn't any conflicts regarding how much I could earn in a year without forfeiting some of my social security benefit. Everyones situation is different so you need to do what is best for you. I have no regrets for taking the reduced benefit. When I reach 100 maybe I will wish I had waited.
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