The earliest and latest ages to claim Social Security

You can claim Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62, but your monthly payment will be permanently reduced. If you wait until your full retirement age — which ranges from 66 to 67 depending on your birth year — you receive your full benefit amount. If you delay claiming past your full retirement age, your benefit grows by about 8 percent per year until age 70, when growth stops.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) does not require you to claim at any particular age. You can work past 62, past your full retirement age, or past 70 if you choose. The decision is yours to make based on your circumstances.

Key Takeaways

  • You can claim Social Security as early as age 62, but your monthly benefit will be about 30 percent lower than if you waited until full retirement age.
  • Your full retirement age depends on your birth year: people born in 1943–1954 have a full retirement age of 66, and it rises gradually to 67 for those born in 1960 or later.
  • Waiting until age 70 increases your monthly benefit by about 24 percent compared to claiming at full retirement age, and this increase is permanent.
  • If you claim before full retirement age and continue working, the SSA will reduce your benefit by $1 for every $2 you earn above an annual limit (the limit changes yearly).
  • You do not have to claim at any age; the decision depends on your health, savings, and when you need the income.

How your birth year determines your full retirement age

The SSA uses your birth year to calculate your full retirement age — the age at which you receive 100 percent of your benefit. This age is not 65 for most people born after 1938.

If you were born between 1943 and 1954, your full retirement age is 66. If you were born between 1955 and 1959, 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 SSA website or by calling 1-800-772-1213.

The reduction for claiming before full retirement age

If you claim at 62 instead of waiting until your full retirement age, your monthly benefit is permanently reduced. The exact reduction depends on how many months early you claim. Claiming at 62 when your full retirement age is 67 results in a benefit that is about 30 percent lower than your full retirement age amount. Claiming at 62 when your full retirement age is 66 results in a benefit that is about 25 percent lower.

This reduction is permanent. Even after you reach your full retirement age, your benefit will not increase to the full amount. The SSA calculates your benefit based on the age you claimed, not your current age.

The increase for waiting past full retirement age

If you delay claiming past your full retirement age, your benefit grows. For each year you wait between your full retirement age and age 70, your monthly benefit increases by about 8 percent per year. This means if your full retirement age is 67 and you wait until 70, your benefit at 70 will be about 24 percent higher than your full retirement age amount.

Growth stops at age 70. There is no financial advantage to waiting past 70 to claim, so the SSA stops increasing your benefit at that point.

Earnings limits if you claim early and keep working

If you claim Social Security before your full retirement age and continue to work, the SSA will reduce your benefit based on how much you earn. For 2024, the SSA reduces your benefit by $1 for every $2 you earn above $23,400 per year. This limit changes each year.

In the year you reach your full retirement age, a different limit applies only to earnings before the month you reach full retirement age. Once you reach your full retirement age, you can earn any amount without a reduction to your benefit.

How to claim Social Security retirement benefits

You can claim Social Security online through the SSA's website (ssa.gov), by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. You will need your Social Security number, birth certificate, and proof of citizenship or legal residency. If you are married, you may also need your spouse's information.

The SSA typically processes claims within 14 days if you claim online, though some claims take longer if additional information is needed. You can check the status of your claim online or by calling the same number.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim Social Security at 62 if I'm still working full-time?

Yes, you can claim at 62 while working, but your benefit will be reduced if you earn above the annual limit. For 2024, the SSA reduces your benefit by $1 for every $2 you earn above $23,400. Once you reach your full retirement age, the earnings limit no longer applies.

What happens if I claim at 62 and then change my mind?

If you claim before your full retirement age, you can withdraw your claim within 12 months and repay all benefits you received. After 12 months, you cannot withdraw your claim, but you can suspend your benefit at your full retirement age and let it grow until age 70. Suspension is different from withdrawal and has different rules.

Does my spouse get benefits based on my Social Security record?

Yes, your spouse may be able to claim a benefit based on your record. Your spouse can claim at 62 (with a permanent reduction) or at their full retirement age. The amount depends on your benefit amount and your spouse's age when they claim. Contact the SSA for details about your specific situation.

What if I was born on January 1st — which year determines my full retirement age?

If you were born on January 1st, the SSA considers you born in the prior year for the purpose of determining your full retirement age. For example, if you were born on January 1, 1943, the SSA treats you as born in 1942, which affects your full retirement age calculation.