Five things to know about Social Security

By Mia D. McNeil AARP Tennessee State Director Social Security has been in existence for 91 years, but it may be fair to say that Americans know as much about the inner workings of Social Security now as they did in 1935. At AARP Tennessee, we seek to provide as many educational tools and resources as possible to ensure that people not only understand how Social Security works, but how Social Security can work for them. Social Security is your money — you earned it through a lifetime of hard work. Nearly 1 in 5 Tennessee residents receive Social Security benefits. Here are 5 things to know about Social Security. 1. When can I start collecting Social Security? You are eligible to receive Social Security as early as age 62. However, the longer you wait to start collecting after you become eligible (up until age 70), the larger your annual payments will be. For those who are eligible for survivor benefits or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you can start collecting earlier. 2. Can I collect Social Security while working? Yes, you can collect payments while working. In fact, 26 percent of Social Security recipients in 2023 were still working....