When you are working for a living, especially starting at a young age, retirement is likely the furthest thing from your mind. However, achieving the proper amount of retirement savings requires that you start planning as early as possible. Ideally, you want to have enough cash in the bank and retirement accounts to keep on living as you normally did while working. Another part of that plan should include having enough cash to keep you going without having to take your Social Security benefits early.

While some people may have to rely on early disbursement of their Social Security, they will do so at their own loss. Taking benefits before the age of 70 means you will bring home less than what you could be at age 70 – about 8% less right now.

Retirement planning can be as confusing as the Social Security disability system but it can and should be done over the years with changes being made as financial changes come. Retirement planning may work best if you had an advisor who can help you see the big picture and allow you to plan correctly so you can leave you Social Security alone.