On Social Security benefits..if you were 62 and were underemployed

[bornskeptic]

33. I could have started collecting a year ago, but my monthly benefit would be $0.00.

If I had retired last year when I turned 62, I could have collected about $700 a month, or $8400 per year. The rule is that if you begin collecting early while stull employed, you have to pay back $1 for each $2 you make over the threshhold, which is about $15,000. My salary subject to SS is about $37,000, so that would leave me paying back about $11,000 out of $8400. I don't believe they would make me actually pay the difference, but I wouldn't get anything until I retired or turned 66.
Taking early benefits often makes sense for people who are able to actually retire, but it seldom does for people who need to continue working. If the person you are concerned about is making $23,000, he or she would get about $4000 less per year less than the amount shown on their annual statement, in addition to collecting 25% less from age 66 on than if he or she had waited. In some cases, it might make sense to go that route, if the immediate income is needed that badly.
Everyone needs to evaluate their own situation carefuly, understand the law, and consider all the relevant factors. There is no easy rule that applies to everyone.