What's the payoff for working most of your life and paying Social Security tax into the system? When your time to retire finally comes, you'll be eligible to receive Social Security benefits based on your work history and when you choose to begin receiving benefits. If you're married, you may have additional options for Social Security, even if one spouse has worked little or not at all.

A particular couple's optimal strategy depends on your age, the age of your spouse, and your health status, among other factors.

Your basic options for receiving benefits are to start early, begin benefits at your full retirement age (FRA), or to delay benefits until later. You can begin receiving Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62, but if you do, you'll lock in smaller benefits than you would have gotten if you'd waited longer. If you retire at age 62, your benefit will be about 25% lower than if you waited until FRA. If you wait until FRA (also called "normal retirement age") to apply for benefits, there's no reduction. Your FRA depends on the year in which you were born. For most post-World War II Baby Boomers, the age is 66. However, FRA increases gradually and tops out at age 67 for those born after 1960. Finally, if you postpone your benefits until after FRA, you'll receive an increased monthly payment. For each year you wait, you'll get about 8% more, until you reach age 70. (Waiting past 70 doesn't increase your benefit amount.)