The earliest you can claim Social Security is age 62, but your monthly payment will be smaller than if you wait

You can start taking Social Security retirement benefits at age 62. However, the amount you receive each month depends on when you claim. If you claim at 62, your monthly payment will be permanently reduced compared to what you would get if you waited. The reduction is roughly 30 percent less than your full retirement age amount, though the exact percentage varies based on your birth year.

Your full retirement age — the age at which you receive your complete benefit amount — depends on when you were born. For people born in 1943 or later, full retirement age ranges from 66 to 67. If you wait until your full retirement age to claim, you receive 100 percent of your calculated benefit. If you delay claiming past your full retirement age, your monthly payment increases by about 8 percent per year until age 70, when the increases stop.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) calculates your benefit based on your 35 highest-earning years of work. You must have earned at least 40 work credits to be may be able to access for retirement benefits — most people earn four credits per year, so 40 credits typically means 10 years of work history.

Key Takeaways

  • You can claim Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62, but your monthly payment will be permanently reduced.
  • Your full retirement age — when you get your complete benefit amount — is between 66 and 67 depending on your birth year.
  • Waiting until age 70 to claim increases your monthly payment by roughly 8 percent per year compared to your full retirement age amount.
  • You need 40 work credits (roughly 10 years of work) to be may be able to access for Social Security retirement benefits.
  • The SSA bases your benefit on your 35 highest-earning years, so gaps in work history may lower your payment.

How your birth year determines your full retirement age

The full retirement age is not the same for everyone. Congress changed the rules in 1983, and the age gradually increased for people born after 1942. 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 SSA website or by calling 1-800-772-1213. Knowing this number matters because it is the baseline for calculating how much you lose by claiming early or gain by claiming late.

What happens if you claim at 62 versus waiting

Claiming at 62 gives you the smallest monthly payment but lets you start receiving money sooner. The reduction is roughly 30 percent if your full retirement age is 67, though it varies slightly depending on your birth year. For example, if your full retirement age benefit would be $1,000 per month, claiming at 62 might give you around $700 per month for life.

Waiting until your full retirement age means a higher monthly payment but no money until then. Waiting until 70 means the longest wait but the highest monthly payment — roughly 24 to 32 percent more than your full retirement age amount, depending on your birth year. Some people break even financially around age 80 or 81 if they wait until 70 instead of claiming at 62, but this depends on your health, family history, and how long you live.

There is no single "right" age to claim. The choice depends on whether you need the money now, your health, your family's longevity, and whether you plan to keep working.

Earning limits if you claim before full retirement age

If you claim Social Security before your full retirement age and continue working, the SSA will reduce your benefits if your earnings exceed a certain amount. For 2024, if you have not yet reached your full retirement age, your benefits are reduced by $1 for every $2 you earn above $23,400 per year. The limit changes each year.

In the year you reach your full retirement age, the earnings limit is higher, and the reduction 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 any reduction to your benefits.

This rule applies only to earned income from work — it does not explore to pensions, investments, rental income, or other sources of money.

How to claim Social Security

You can claim Social Security online through the SSA's website at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or by visiting your local Social Security office in person. You do not need to wait until your birthday or a specific date — you can claim any time after you turn 62.

When you claim, you will need to provide proof of age (a birth certificate), proof of citizenship or legal residency (a passport or naturalization papers), and proof of income (recent tax returns or W-2 forms). If you are married, your spouse may be able to receive benefits based on your work record, so have information about your spouse's age and Social Security number ready.

The SSA typically processes claims within two to three weeks. You will receive a notice in the mail confirming your benefit amount and your first payment date. Payments are usually deposited directly into your bank account on the third of each month.

Spousal and survivor benefits have their own age rules

If you are married, your spouse may be able to claim benefits based on your work record. Your spouse can claim a spousal benefit as early as age 62, but like retirement benefits, the amount is reduced if claimed before full retirement age. A spouse at full retirement age can receive up to 50 percent of your full retirement age benefit.

If you pass away, your surviving spouse, children, and parents may be able to receive survivor benefits. A surviving spouse can claim as early as age 60 (or age 50 if disabled), and children can claim until age 19 (or 23 if in school full-time). These benefits also have their own reduction rules based on age.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my mind after I claim Social Security?

Yes, but only within limits. If you claimed within the last 12 months, you can withdraw your claim and repay what you received, which resets your benefit to a higher amount. After 12 months, you cannot withdraw, but you can suspend your benefits at full retirement age and let them grow until age 70, though this is rarely done.

What if I worked outside the United States?

Work outside the United States counts toward your 40 work credits only if you paid Social Security taxes on that income. If you worked in another country, contact the SSA to find out whether that work counts. Some countries have agreements with the United States that allow work history to be combined.

Do I lose Social Security if I work after I claim it?

If you claim before full retirement age and earn more than the annual limit, your benefits are reduced. Once you reach full retirement age, you can work and earn any amount without losing benefits. If you have not claimed yet, working does not affect your future benefit amount.

What is the difference between Social Security and SSI?

Social Security retirement is based on your work history and age. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a separate program for people with low income and limited resources, regardless of work history. They are different programs with different rules and payment amounts.

Can I claim Social Security if I never worked?

No, you need 40 work credits to claim retirement benefits on your own record. However, you may be able to claim spousal or survivor benefits based on someone else's work record, even if you never worked yourself.