Give up trips to Machu Picchu and the Galápagos Islands at 65 with your spouse in return for a better quality of gruel as you (without spouse) are wheeled into the in the nursing home cafeteria at 90?

That is the entire point. You don't realize it but you are actually arguing against yourself.

For most, obviously not all (which shouldn't have to be said, but just in case), people who are living on or intend to live on their investments in retirement, which is probably everyone here, delaying SS allows you to safely spend more money in the early part of your retirement. Not less. More.

I get it. If you claim early you get the bird in the hand, you eliminate longevity risk, etc. Maybe you need the money. All kinds of reasons to claim early. More power to ya if that's your choice.

But math says most people, especially people in our situation, can safely spend more money in the early years if they delay. It isn't opinion, it is math.