It also seems the assumption in the article covering this is that people are "retiring" early to get the benefits. I may be wrong here (please let me know if I am) but, who says the people are actually retiring? I know if I was 62 and had a good job I would keep working AND start claiming the social security benefit. My understanding is that currently you must pay income taxers on the social security income if you are under 70 and make enough to have to pay taxes but that once you are 70, the social security is tax free no matter how much you make. Is this correct? If so, I doubt it will be tax free much longer.