Senators pushing for changes to Social Security language

(Washington, DC) -- A bipartisan group of Senators is introducing legislation to help prevent Americans from claiming their Social Security too early.

Many retirees claim Social Security at age 62, even though their checks would be larger if they claimed their benefits at a later age.

Now, lawmakers are hoping to change the language of Social Security materials to better communicate the advantages of waiting.

For example, the bill would change the terms in informational materials to refer to age 62 as the "minimum benefit age," rather than "early eligibility age." Ages 66 to 67, currently referred to as "full retirement age," would be changed to "standard benefit age."

Lawmakers are also proposing regularly sending Social Security statements to everyone with a Social Security number regularly through the mail.