Working at 70: What It Means for Your Social Security Checks

Age 70 is generally considered the latest age to claim Social Security.

If you continue to work or return to work, you won't risk having benefits withheld.

If anything, your benefits could get an even bigger boost thanks to your paycheck.

Although many people look forward to retiring by the time they turn 70, not everyone is ready to leave the workforce at that point. You may decide to continue working because you enjoy your job, or because you need the paycheck. Or, you may opt to go back to work after having retired because money has gotten tight.

Age 70 is generally considered the latest age to sign up for Social Security , since it's when you stop accumulating the delayed retirement credits that can boost your monthly benefits. You can technically sign up beyond that point, but waiting won't do you any good.

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You may be wondering how working at 70 might affect your Social Security checks. And the good news is that if anything, it could have a positive impact on your benefits -- not a negative one.

There's no reason not to work while collecting Social Security at age 70. It's true that when you're getting benefits prior to full retirement age , Social Security's earnings test is something you have to worry about. And making too much money could result in having benefits withheld temporarily.