The age you can claim Social Security depends on when you were born

You can claim Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62, but the amount you receive each month depends on your birth year and when you decide to start. The full retirement age — the age at which you receive your complete benefit — ranges from 66 to 67 depending on whether you were born before 1943 or after 1954. If you wait past your full retirement age, your monthly payment increases by about 8 percent per year until age 70.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) manages these rules and processes all claims. You do not have to claim at any particular age, but you cannot claim before 62, and there is no benefit to waiting past 70.

Key Takeaways

  • You can claim Social Security as early as age 62, but your monthly payment will be permanently reduced compared to waiting until your full retirement age.
  • Your full retirement age is 66 if you were born between 1943 and 1954, and 67 if you were born in 1960 or later.
  • Waiting to claim until age 70 gives you the highest possible monthly payment, but only if you live long enough to break even on the delayed start.
  • You can work while collecting Social Security after your full retirement age with no penalty, but earnings before that age may reduce your benefits.

Full retirement age by birth year

The SSA raised the full retirement age gradually starting in 1983. If you were born in 1943 or earlier, your full retirement age is 65. For those born between 1943 and 1954, it increases by two months for each birth year, landing at 66. If you were born between 1955 and 1959, your full retirement age is somewhere between 66 and 67. Anyone born in 1960 or later has a full retirement age of 67.

Your full retirement age matters because it is the point at which you can claim your complete benefit without any reduction. Claiming before this age means a permanent cut to your monthly payment. Claiming after means a permanent increase.

What happens if you claim at 62

Claiming at 62 is the earliest you can start, but your monthly benefit will be about 30 percent lower than if you waited until your full retirement age. This reduction is permanent — even after you reach full retirement age, your payment stays at the reduced amount. The SSA calculates this as a trade-off: you get money sooner, but less of it each month for the rest of your life.

Claiming early makes sense if you need the money now, expect a shorter life span, or do not want to work longer. It does not make sense if you can afford to wait and expect to live into your 80s, because the total amount you collect over your lifetime will be lower.

What happens if you wait past full retirement age

For every year you delay claiming past your full retirement age, your monthly benefit grows by about 8 percent per year. This increase stops at age 70 — there is no additional benefit to waiting longer. If your full retirement age is 67 and you wait until 70, your monthly payment will be roughly 24 percent higher than if you had claimed at 67.

Waiting makes sense if you are still working, in good health, or expect to live well into your 80s. The longer you live, the more total money you collect by waiting. However, if you claim at 62 and live to 80, you will have received more total dollars than if you waited until 70 and lived to 80 — the math depends on your personal situation.

Earnings limits if you claim before full retirement age

If you claim Social Security before your full retirement age and continue to work, the SSA will reduce your benefits based on your earnings. For 2024, benefits are reduced by $1 for every $2 you earn above $23,400 per year. In the year you reach full retirement age, the limit is higher and applies only to earnings before the month you reach that age.

Once you reach your full retirement age, you can earn as much as you want with no penalty to your benefits. This is one reason some people wait to claim — they can keep working without losing any Social Security money.

How to claim Social Security

You can claim Social Security online through the SSA website, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. You will need your birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and your W-2 forms or tax returns from the past two years. If you are married, your spouse may be able to claim benefits based on your work record, even if they did not work.

The SSA processes claims in about two to three weeks if you explore online, longer if you explore by phone or in person. You can start the process up to four months before the month you want benefits to begin. There is no rush — you can take time to decide when to claim.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my mind after I claim Social Security?

You can withdraw your claim within 12 months of starting benefits and repay what you received, which resets your benefit amount. After 12 months, you cannot withdraw, but you can suspend your benefits at full retirement age and let them grow until 70. Suspending is different from withdrawing — you do not have to repay anything.

What if I am still working at 62?

You can claim at 62 while working, but your benefits will be reduced based on your earnings. If you earn more than the annual limit, it may not be worth claiming yet. Many people wait until full retirement age or later so they can work without losing benefits.

Do I have to claim Social Security at my full retirement age?

No. You can claim anytime between 62 and 70. There is no requirement to claim at full retirement age — it is straightforward the age at which you receive your complete benefit with no reduction or increase.

What happens to my benefits if I die before age 70?

Your family may be able to claim survivor benefits based on your work record, regardless of when you claimed. Your spouse, children, and parents may all be may be able to access. The SSA will contact your family, or they can call 1-800-772-1213 to report your death and ask about survivor benefits.

Can I collect Social Security and a pension at the same time?

Yes, but if your pension is from work where you did not pay Social Security taxes, a rule called the Government Pension Offset may reduce your spousal or survivor benefits. This rule does not affect your own Social Security benefit, only benefits you claim based on someone else's record.