What Social Security retirement is and who can claim it

Social Security retirement is a monthly payment from the federal government based on your work history. You become may be able to access to claim it once you reach a certain age — that age depends on the year you were born. The amount you receive depends on how much you earned during your working years and at what age you decide to start taking payments.

You do not have to be retired from work to claim Social Security retirement benefits. You can still be working, though if you claim before your full retirement age and earn above a certain amount, your benefits will be temporarily reduced. The key requirement is that you have worked long enough — typically at least 10 years in jobs where you paid Social Security taxes — to have earned credits toward retirement benefits.

Your spouse and children may also be able to receive benefits based on your work record, even if they never worked themselves. These are called family benefits, and they do not reduce your own payment.

Key Takeaways

  • You can claim Social Security retirement as early as age 62, but your monthly payment will be permanently smaller than if you wait until your full retirement age.
  • Your full retirement age ranges from 66 to 67 depending on your birth year, and waiting until then or later increases your monthly benefit.
  • If you delay claiming past your full retirement age, your benefit grows by about 8 percent per year until age 70.
  • You will need to provide proof of age, citizenship or legal residency, and your work history when you claim.
  • The Social Security Administration processes claims through their website, by phone, or in person at a local office.

Full retirement age and how it affects your payment

Full retirement age is the age at which Social Security calculates your benefit as 100 percent of what you earned. This age is not 65 for everyone. If you were born in 1943 or later, your full retirement age is between 66 and 67, depending on your birth year. The Social Security Administration publishes a table showing the exact age for your birth year on their website.

If you claim before your full retirement age, your monthly payment is permanently reduced. The reduction is steeper the earlier you claim. For example, if your full retirement age is 67 and you claim at 62, you receive roughly 70 percent of your full benefit amount each month for the rest of your life. If you claim at 65, you receive roughly 86 percent.

If you delay claiming past your full retirement age, your benefit grows. For each year you wait past your full retirement age, your monthly payment increases by roughly 8 percent per year, up until age 70. After 70, the benefit stops growing, so there is no financial reason to delay past that point.

Claiming at 62 versus waiting until later

The choice between claiming early and waiting is a trade-off between total lifetime payments and monthly income. Claiming at 62 means you receive payments for more years, but each payment is smaller. Waiting until 67 or 70 means fewer years of payments, but each one is significantly larger.

Which choice makes sense depends on your health, life expectancy, current income needs, and whether you have other savings. Someone in poor health might come out ahead by claiming early. Someone in good health who does not need the money when ready might come out ahead by waiting. The Social Security Administration does not make this recommendation for you — it is a personal decision based on your circumstances.

If you claim before your full retirement age and continue working, you face an earnings limit. For 2024, if you earn more than a certain amount (this amount changes yearly), Social Security reduces your benefit by $1 for every $2 you earn above the limit. Once you reach your full retirement age, this limit no longer applies, and you can earn any amount without affecting your benefit.

How to claim Social Security retirement benefits

You can claim through three routes: online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. The online process is usually the fastest. You will need to create a my Social Security account if you do not already have one.

When you claim, have these documents ready: proof of age (birth certificate, passport, or driver's license), proof of citizenship or legal residency (passport, naturalization papers, or green card), and your W-2 forms or tax returns from recent years. If you were married, divorced, or widowed, bring those documents too — your spouse or ex-spouse may be able to receive benefits on your record.

After you submit your claim, the Social Security Administration reviews your work history and sends you a decision letter. Processing typically takes two to four weeks if you claim online, longer if you call or visit an office. Your first payment usually arrives within one to two months after approval.

What happens to your benefits if you work after claiming

If you claim before your full retirement age and continue working, your benefit is reduced based on your earnings. The reduction applies only until you reach your full retirement age — after that, you can earn any amount without penalty. The Social Security Administration recalculates your benefit each year based on your actual earnings.

If you claim at or after your full retirement age, there is no earnings limit. You receive your full benefit no matter how much you work or earn. This is one reason some people choose to delay claiming until their full retirement age even if they are still working.

If you claim early and later realize you want to undo that decision, you have limited options. You can withdraw your claim within 12 months of filing and repay all benefits received, then reapply later at a higher rate. After 12 months, you cannot withdraw your claim, but you can suspend your benefits at your full retirement age and let them grow until age 70.

Spousal and family benefits based on your record

Your spouse can receive benefits based on your work record even if they never worked or worked very little. Your spouse must be at least 62 years old (or any age if caring for your child under 16). The spousal benefit is typically up to 50 percent of your full retirement age benefit amount, though it is reduced if your spouse claims before their own full retirement age.

Your unmarried children under 19 (or up to 22 if in high school full-time) can also receive benefits based on your record. Your ex-spouse can receive spousal benefits if you were married for at least 10 years, you are both at least 62, and you are not currently married to someone else. None of these family benefits reduce your own payment.

Each family member's benefit is calculated separately based on their age and relationship to you. The total amount all family members can receive is capped at roughly 150 to 180 percent of your full retirement age benefit, though this cap rarely affects individual family members' payments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my mind after I start receiving Social Security retirement?

Yes, but only within 12 months of your claim date. If you withdraw your claim within that window, you must repay all benefits you received, and you can reapply later at a higher rate. After 12 months, you cannot withdraw, but you can suspend your benefits at your full retirement age and let them grow until age 70.

What if I was born outside the United States?

You can still receive Social Security retirement if you have a valid work history in the United States and meet the age and credit requirements. You will need to show proof of legal residency or citizenship. Some non-citizens who worked under a valid Social Security number are covered; others are not. Contact the Social Security Administration directly to confirm your status.

How much will my benefit be?

Your benefit depends on your highest 35 years of earnings and the age at which you claim. The Social Security Administration provides a personalized estimate through your my Social Security account or by requesting a Statement of Earnings. You can also call 1-800-772-1213 to ask for an estimate.

Do I have to claim at my full retirement age?

No. You can claim anytime between 62 and 70. Claiming earlier means smaller monthly payments; claiming later means larger ones. There is no single "right" age — it depends on your health, income needs, and life expectancy.

What if I am still working and not sure whether to claim yet?

You do not have to claim when ready. Many people continue working past 62 and claim later when they actually retire. If you are still earning a good income, waiting until your full retirement age or later usually results in a larger benefit and avoids the earnings limit that applies to early claimers.