If retirement is on the horizon, you may be gearing up to claim Social Security. But the decision to file for benefits is a big one. After all, the monthly benefit you lock in is the sum you can expect to receive for the rest of your life (not including annual cost-of-living adjustments, of course), so it's important to get that decision right.

You might think you're ready to claim Social Security based on different factors. But before you do, check these key items off your list.

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Source Fool.com