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Think you have to start claiming Social Security at 62?

That's a myth that could cost you.

Fidelity recently broke down this common misconception with the facts behind Social Security:

• Claiming at 62 locks in a permanent 30 percent reduction compared to waiting until full retirement age.

• Waiting from 62 to 70 can increase your monthly benefit by approximately 77 percent.

• If you're divorced after 10+ years of marriage and haven't remarried, you may be entitled to 50 percent of your ex-spouse's benefit, and claiming it doesn't affect theirs at all.

• Benefits are based on your highest 35 earning years, not just what you made before 65. Working past 65 can still improve your calculation.

• Once you claim it, that's your benefit, adjusted only for cost-of-living increases.

The decision of when to claim is one of the most consequential decisions when preparing for retirement.

For a benefit designed to last 20, 30, or more years, the math is worth getting right.