Unraveling the Rush: Why Americans Are Claiming Social Security Early

The Urban Institute’s recent analysis of Social Security Administration (SSA) data found that more Americans are filing early for their retirement payments in 2025 compared with 2024. While early claiming (claiming Social Security retirement payments before reaching the full retirement age of 67) may be the right decision for some, it reduces the monthly payment and can result in lower lifetime payments for many retirees.

The Institute’s analysis noted that neither the growing number of eligible Americans nor recent changes related to the Social Security Fairness Act fully explain the rise in early claims. Instead, the authors suggest that increased fear and confusion — spurred by proposed and actual changes at the SSA — may be motivating people to claim their retirement payments sooner than planned. Furthermore, persistent misinformation and misunderstanding about the financial health of the Social Security Trust Fund may be leading people to claim early.

To better understand why people are claiming Social Security retirement payments earlier than planned, AARP conducted a nationally representative survey of 1,884 adults 50-plus in June 2025. Our results show that almost half of older Americans (49%) who recently started receiving — or plan to start receiving — Social Security retirement payments earlier than originally planned were motivated by concerns that Social Security is running out of money (49%). In contrast, just one in six (16%) of those who have been receiving retirement payments for over a year and claimed earlier than planned cited Social Security running out of money as a reason they claimed early. Newer claimants and prospective claimants are also more likely than those who have been receiving Social Security retirement payments for more than a year to point to administrative and trust-related concerns such as reduced staff or limited access to in-person SSA services (20% vs. 5%), difficulty reaching SSA online or by phone (17% vs. 3%), and waste and fraud in Social Security (15% and 10% vs. 4% each). These findings suggest that the proliferation of proposed and actual changes at the SSA, as well as misinformation and misunderstandings regarding how Social Security is funded, are driving people to claim their retirement payments earlier than originally planned.

Recent findings from AARP’s 90th Anniversary Social Security survey reveal how deep the misunderstandings related to Social Security’s funding run. This research finds that nearly two-thirds of Americans don’t understand what would happen if the Social Security Trust Fund were exhausted. Over a third believe payments would stop entirely, and another third say they don’t know. In a follow-up question that clarified Social Security would still be able to cover some of the payment because of the Social Security tax that workers pay, nearly half (47%) estimate the cut in payments would be 50% or more. The 2025 Social Security Trustees report estimates the reduction would be just 19%.

Deciding when to start receiving Social Security retirement payments is an important financial decision that should be based on accurate information as well as personal circumstances and goals. Confusion and misinformation about Social Security are the enemies of good decision-making. To ensure people are equipped to make the best decisions for themselves, AARP provides resources to reduce confusion and provide the education necessary for Americans to get the most from their Social Security. You can find more on these resources at AARP’s Social Security page.

Methodology

Interviews were conducted between June 12 and 16, 2025, and June 19 and 20, 2025, among 1,888 U.S. adults age 50-plus in the Foresight 50+ Omnibus. Funded and operated by NORC at the University of Chicago, Foresight 50+ is a probability-based panel designed to be representative of the U.S. household population50 or older. Interviews were conducted online and via phone. All data are weighted by age, sex, education, race/ethnicity, region and AARP membership.