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When thinking about when to start taking social security what is the difference between mortality and longevity

When deciding when to start taking Social Security, understanding the difference between mortality and longevity is key:

✅ Mortality:

Refers to the probability of death at a certain age.

It's based on statistical data about how likely it is that someone of your age, gender, and health status will die in a given year.

When Social Security or financial planners use mortality tables, they’re calculating the likelihood that you'll pass away before or after a certain age.

✅ Longevity:

Refers to how long you are likely to live.

It’s a projection of the length of your life, based on your health, family history, and lifestyle.

If you have a family history of living into your 90s or beyond, or you’re in excellent health, your longevity risk increases—meaning you’re more likely to live longer and need your Social Security to last longer.

Why This Matters for Social Security

If you have higher mortality risk (poor health, shorter family history of lifespan), it may make sense to take Social Security earlier to ensure you get the most benefits before passing away.

If you have higher longevity potential (good health, long-living family), delaying Social Security to maximize your monthly benefits might be a better strategy since you’ll need income for a longer period.

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