If your future monthly retirement check isn't going to get bigger by delaying retirement, then I think you might be better off taking the retirement now, putting the retirement money into savings or some investment now, and then going to work elsewhere and living off that, and potentially getting a 2nd retirement check. Also consider that your eventual Soc Sec payment is based on your highest (3 I think) years income. If you will get raises staying where you're at, and can't find a new job with either benefits (like health insurance) or retirement, or significantly better salary, then maybe stay.