The age you can start Social Security depends on when you were born
Social Security has a full retirement age — the age at which you receive your full monthly benefit. This age is not the same for everyone. It depends on your birth year. If you were born in 1943 or later, your full retirement age is somewhere between 66 and 67. If you were born before 1943, your full retirement age is 65.
You can start collecting as early as age 62, but your monthly payment will be smaller. You can also wait until age 70, and your monthly payment will be larger. The chart below shows your full retirement age based on your birth year.
Key Takeaways
- Your full retirement age — when you get your complete monthly benefit — ranges from 65 to 67 depending on your birth year.
- You can start collecting at 62, but your monthly payment will be permanently reduced by roughly 25 to 30 percent.
- If you wait until 70, your monthly payment will be roughly 24 to 32 percent higher than your full retirement age amount.
- The Social Security Administration website has a tool to find your exact full retirement age and estimate your benefit amount.
Full Retirement Age by Birth Year
| Birth Year | Full Retirement Age |
|---|---|
| 1943–1954 | 66 |
| 1955 | 66 and 2 months |
| 1956 | 66 and 4 months |
| 1957 | 66 and 6 months |
| 1958 | 66 and 8 months |
| 1959 | 66 and 10 months |
| 1960 and later | 67 |
If you were born before 1943, your full retirement age is 65. The chart above applies only to people born in 1943 or later.
Your full retirement age is the baseline for all other decisions about when to start. It determines how much your benefit is reduced if you start at 62, and how much it grows if you wait until 70. You can find your exact full retirement age by looking at your Social Security statement or by using the Retirement Age Calculator on ssa.gov.
What happens if you start at 62
Starting Social Security at 62 is the earliest you can begin collecting. Your monthly payment will be permanently lower than it would be if you waited. The exact reduction depends on your birth year and full retirement age, but it typically ranges from about 25 to 30 percent less per month.
This reduction stays in place for the rest of your life. If your full retirement age benefit would be $1,000 per month, starting at 62 might give you $700 per month instead — and you will receive $700 every month you collect, not a higher amount later. The only exception is if you continue working and earn above a certain amount; in that case, Social Security temporarily reduces your benefit further.
What happens if you wait until 70
If you delay Social Security past your full retirement age, your monthly benefit grows. For each year you wait between your full retirement age and 70, your benefit increases by roughly 8 percent per year. This means if you wait from age 67 to age 70, your benefit could be roughly 24 percent higher than your full retirement age amount.
Like the reduction for starting early, this increase is permanent. If your full retirement age benefit would be $1,000 per month, waiting until 70 might give you $1,240 per month for the rest of your life. The trade-off is that you receive no payments during those three extra years of waiting.
How to find your full retirement age
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has an online tool called the Retirement Age Calculator on its website at ssa.gov. You enter your birth date, and it tells you your exact full retirement age. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to speak with a representative, or visit a local Social Security office in person.
When you contact Social Security, have your birth certificate or other proof of age ready. A representative can also give you an estimate of your monthly benefit at different ages — 62, your full retirement age, and 70 — so you can see the dollar difference before you decide when to start.
Deciding when to start: factors to consider
There is no single right age to start Social Security. The choice depends on your health, how long you expect to live, whether you are still working, and whether you need the money now. If you are in good health and expect to live into your 80s or 90s, waiting until 70 means you receive a larger monthly payment over your lifetime. If you have health concerns or need income now, starting at 62 may make more sense.
If you are still working, starting before your full retirement age can reduce your benefit temporarily. In 2024, Social Security reduces your benefit by $1 for every $2 you earn above $23,400 per year. Once you reach your full retirement age, this earnings limit no longer applies, and your benefit is not reduced no matter how much you earn.
Some people also consider whether they have a spouse or ex-spouse. Spouses and ex-spouses may be able to receive benefits based on your work record, and the age you start affects what they can receive. If this applies to you, a Social Security representative can explain how your choice affects their benefits.
What to do once you decide
When you are ready to start Social Security, you can begin the process online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. You will need to provide your birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and a photo ID. If you are married, you may also need your marriage certificate.
The process usually takes a few weeks. Social Security will contact you to confirm the information you provided and let you know when your first payment will arrive. Payments are deposited directly into your bank account; Social Security does not mail checks unless you request it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my mind after I start Social Security?
Yes, but only within limits. If you started within the past 12 months, you can withdraw your process and repay what you received. This resets your record as if you never started. After 12 months, you cannot withdraw, but you can suspend your benefits at your full retirement age and let them grow until 70. Once you suspend, you cannot unsuspend.
Does my spouse get benefits when I start?
Your spouse may be able to receive a benefit based on your work record, but the amount depends on their age and your full retirement age. A spouse at full retirement age can receive up to 50 percent of your full retirement age benefit. If they start before their full retirement age, the amount is smaller. Contact Social Security to find out what your spouse may receive.
What if I was born on January 1st?
If you were born on January 1st, Social Security counts you as born on December 31st of the previous year. This affects which birth year group you fall into on the full retirement age chart. Check your Social Security statement or contact Social Security directly to confirm your exact full retirement age.
Can I work and collect Social Security at the same time?
Yes, but if you start before your full retirement age, your benefit is reduced if you earn above a certain amount. In 2024, that limit is $23,400 per year. Once you reach your full retirement age, you can earn any amount without a reduction. The earnings limit changes each year, so check ssa.gov for the current amount.
How do I know if my full retirement age is correct?
Check your Social Security statement, which you can view online at ssa.gov if you create an account. Your statement shows your full retirement age. You can also call 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local office. If you find an error, report it right away so your record is corrected before you start collecting.