Fidelity Investments said today that 45 percent of 61-year-old Americans are planning to begin taking Social Security at the age of 62, the earliest age that eligible recipients can apply for retirement benefits.

The Boston mutual funds giant based that conclusion on a new survey, the results of which were made public today. Since this is the first year that it has conducted such a survey, a spokesman said that Fidelity had no historical data to compare the results to.

Fidelity sells a range of investment products, including products designed for consumers looking to devise savings strategies that will help finance their retirements. 

According to the survey of 61-year-olds, the top reasons driving their decision to collect Social Security benefits early are immediate financial needs and health and longevity concerns, said Fidelity, which added that such individuals should carefully weigh such decisions, possibly with the help of a financial advisor, before moving ahead with them. 

Roughly 77 percent of those surveyed said they will use Social Security funds to pay for basic living expenses such as food, utility costs, and mortgages, Fidelity said. 

"Many Americans who are within one year of beginning to collect their Social Security retirement benefits may be planning to rely too much on it, considering Social Security currently only funds a little more than one-third, or 37 percent, of an average retiree's income ," Carolyn Clancy, a Fidelity executive vice president, said in a statement. "Social Security-related decisions can be complex and there can be trade-offs associated with the various payment strategies. But with some basic guidance and a lifetime retirement income plan, individuals may find it easier than they think to make an informed decision and get the most from their benefits."

To help consumers make better decisions about when to begin collecting Social Security benefits, Fidelity said it has devoted special content on the issue at its website; it also added that it is offering brochures, an educational audio program, and local seminars, among other initiatives, Fidelity said.