Social Security benefits are part of the retirement plan of many American workers and as you think about when to start receiving your retirement benefits, there are several issues to consider.

Medicare on the basis of age starts at 65. Jack Myers with Social Security is highlighting if you retire at 62, how that will impact your insurance.

You can apply up to 4 months in advance of when you want payments to start. Myers points out there is no retroactivity for reduced benefits but up to 6 months of retroactivity is possible if you are over FRA.

If you are under FRA and want to receive your first payment in April, apply in November, December, January, February or March and choose March as the month you want benefits to begin. Myers notes you will get your first payment in April.

If you are a widow or widower, Myers adds you have the option to start receiving survivor benefits as early as age 60 - or 50 if disabled - and can then switch to your own retirement benefit later. You can even wait until age 70 to switch.

Visit the retirement webpage at www.ssa.gov/retirement for more information that will help guide your retirement planning.