6 Myths of social security that could make or break your retirement planning

Your marital status should play a big role when you decide to take benefits.

If you are married, starting earlier will also reduce the potential spouse or spouse benefits your husband or wife will receive.

claiming benefits up to age 70 could result in a 40 to 50 percent increase in benefits for surviving spouses, according to Jones. Meanwhile, the average length of widowhood is 11 years, he said.

"It is much more likely that one spouse will live for a long time without the other," Jones said. Before January 2, 1954, and you have reached the retirement age, you can benefit from a spousal benefit and allow your own benefits to grow. Then you can switch to your own advantage, later.

Those born after this date, however, no longer have the ability to employ this strategy, because of the changes made to the social security rules by Congress.

Divorced spouses may still be able to collect benefits on their ex's professional record, provided that they have been married for at least 10 years and that they are at least 62 years old. But if you remarry, you will no longer be eligible for these benefits.