What "Social Security Age" Means

Social Security age refers to the ages at which you become may be able to access to receive different types of Social Security benefits. The most common one is full retirement age — the age at which you can claim your full retirement benefit with no reduction. But you can also claim as early as age 62, or delay until age 70 to receive a larger monthly payment. The age you choose to claim affects how much you receive each month for the rest of your life.

Your full retirement age depends on the year you were born. If you were born in 1943 or later, your full retirement age is somewhere between 66 and 67. The Social Security Administration publishes a table showing the exact age for your birth year. This is different from Medicare may be able to access, which begins at 65 regardless of your birth year.

You do not have to claim at your full retirement age. Claiming earlier means smaller monthly payments. Claiming later means larger monthly payments. Understanding these ages and how they work helps you decide when to start benefits.

Key Takeaways

  • Full retirement age ranges from 66 to 67 depending on your birth year, and the Social Security Administration publishes a table showing your specific age.
  • You can claim retirement benefits as early as age 62, but your monthly payment will be permanently reduced by roughly 25 to 30 percent.
  • If you delay claiming past your full retirement age until age 70, your monthly benefit increases by about 8 percent for each year you wait.
  • Your full retirement age is separate from Medicare may be able to access, which starts at 65 for most people.
  • The age you choose to claim is permanent and affects your benefit amount for life, so the decision should account for your health, family history, and financial needs.

Full Retirement Age by Birth Year

The Social Security Administration raised the full retirement age gradually starting in 2003. If you were born between 1943 and 1954, your full retirement age is 66. If you were born between 1955 and 1960, your full retirement age is between 66 and 67 — it increases by two months for each year of birth. If you were born in 1960 or later, your full retirement age is 67.

You can find your exact full retirement age on the Social Security Administration website or by calling 1-800-772-1213. Having this number matters because it is the baseline for calculating your benefit amount. If you claim before this age, your benefit is reduced. If you claim after this age, your benefit increases.

Claiming at 62: The Earliest Option

You can claim Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62, even if your full retirement age is 66 or 67. However, claiming at 62 means your monthly benefit is permanently reduced. The reduction is roughly 25 to 30 percent lower than what you would receive at your full retirement age, depending on your exact birth year.

Some people claim at 62 because they need the money now, have health concerns, or do not expect to live into their 80s. Others claim at 62 because they are no longer working and want to start receiving benefits when ready. The tradeoff is that you receive a smaller check every month for the rest of your life — even if you live to 95 or beyond.

If you claim at 62 and continue to work, Social Security will reduce your benefit further if your earnings exceed a certain amount. In 2024, that limit is $22,320 per year, though the limit changes annually. Once you reach your full retirement age, this earnings limit no longer applies.

Claiming at Your Full Retirement Age

Claiming at your full retirement age means you receive your benefit with no reduction. This is the age Social Security uses as the standard, and it is the point where the reduction for claiming early stops and the increase for claiming late begins.

If you claim at your full retirement age and continue to work, there is no earnings limit — you can earn as much as you want without any reduction to your benefit. This is one reason some people wait until their full retirement age to claim, even if they could claim earlier.

Your full retirement age is also significant for spousal and survivor benefits. If you are married, your spouse may be able to claim a benefit based on your work record once you reach your full retirement age, even if your spouse has not yet reached theirs.

Delaying Until 70: The Highest Benefit

If you delay claiming past your full retirement age, your monthly benefit increases by roughly 8 percent for each year you wait, up until age 70. This means if your full retirement age is 67 and you wait until 70, your benefit is about 24 percent higher than it would be at 67. After age 70, benefits do not increase further, so there is no financial reason to delay beyond 70.

Delaying works best if you are in good health, have family members who lived into their 80s or 90s, or do not need the money right away. The longer you live, the more you benefit from the higher monthly payment. If you live past 80 or 82, delaying usually means you receive more total money over your lifetime than if you had claimed earlier.

You can work as long as you want without any earnings limit if you delay claiming past your full retirement age. Some people use this time to keep working, save more money, and let their Social Security benefit grow.

How Your Birth Year Affects Your Options

Your birth year determines your full retirement age, which in turn affects how much your benefit is reduced if you claim early or increased if you claim late. Someone born in 1943 has a full retirement age of 66, while someone born in 1960 has a full retirement age of 67. This one-year difference means the early-claim reduction and late-claim increase are calculated differently for each person.

Your birth year also affects whether you can claim spousal benefits. If you were born before January 2, 1954, you may have more options for claiming spousal or survivor benefits than someone born later. The Social Security Administration has different rules for different birth cohorts, so your specific birth year matters.

Social Security Age vs. Medicare Age

Social Security retirement age and Medicare may be able to access age are not the same. You become may be able to access for Medicare at 65, regardless of when you claim Social Security. You can claim Social Security at 62, 67, 70, or any age in between — but Medicare may be able to access is fixed at 65.

This means you might claim Social Security at 62 but not be may be able to access for Medicare until age 65. Or you might delay Social Security until 70 but start Medicare at 65. The two programs are separate, and your decision about when to claim Social Security does not affect when you can sign up for Medicare.

If you do not sign up for Medicare when you turn 65, you may face a late enrollment penalty that increases your premiums permanently. Even if you delay Social Security, you should still consider enrolling in Medicare at 65 unless you have other health coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my mind after I claim Social Security?

You can withdraw your claim within 12 months of claiming and repay all benefits received, which resets your claim. After 12 months, you cannot withdraw. However, you can suspend your benefits at your full retirement age and let them grow until age 70, though this option is limited for people born after 1954.

What happens to my benefit if I keep working after I claim?

If you claim before your full retirement age and continue working, Social Security reduces your benefit by $1 for every $2 you earn above the annual limit (which changes yearly). Once you reach your full retirement age, there is no earnings limit and your benefit is not reduced.

Does my spouse get a benefit based on my Social Security age?

Your spouse may be able to claim a spousal benefit based on your work record, but the rules depend on both of your birth years and when you claim. Generally, your spouse can claim a reduced benefit at 62 or a full spousal benefit at their full retirement age, which is different from yours.

If I die before age 70, did I waste money by delaying?

If you delay claiming and die before you break even financially, your family does not get the difference back. However, your surviving spouse or children may receive survivor benefits based on your work record. Survivor benefits are calculated differently than retirement benefits and do not depend on when you claimed.

Can I claim Social Security if I never worked?

You must have earned enough work credits to claim retirement benefits on your own record. However, you may be able to claim spousal or survivor benefits based on your spouse's or ex-spouse's work record, even if you never worked. The rules vary depending on your age and family situation.