You can start Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62, but the amount you receive depends on when you claim
The earliest age to claim Social Security retirement benefits is 62. However, if you claim at 62, your monthly payment will be smaller than if you wait. The Social Security Administration calls your "full retirement age" the point at which you receive your full benefit amount — this age varies based on your birth year and ranges from 66 to 67 for people born in 1943 or later. You can also delay claiming past your full retirement age until age 70, which increases your monthly payment.
Your birth year determines your full retirement age. If you were born between 1943 and 1954, your full retirement age is 66. If you were born between 1955 and 1960, it falls somewhere between 66 and 67. If you were born in 1960 or later, your full retirement age is 67. The Social Security Administration publishes a full chart on its website showing the exact age for your birth year.
The decision of when to claim is financial: claiming at 62 means you receive payments for more years, but each payment is permanently reduced. Claiming at your full retirement age means you receive your standard benefit amount. Claiming at 70 means you receive a larger payment, but you have waited eight years to start collecting. There is no single "best" age — it depends on your health, life expectancy, and financial needs.
Key Takeaways
- You can claim Social Security retirement benefits starting at age 62, but your monthly payment will be reduced if you claim before your full retirement age.
- Your full retirement age — when you receive your complete benefit amount — is 66 or 67 depending on your birth year.
- Delaying your claim until age 70 increases your monthly payment by a set percentage for each year you wait past your full retirement age.
- The Social Security Administration has a retirement age calculator on its website that shows your specific full retirement age and estimated benefits at different claiming ages.
How your birth year determines your full retirement age
The Social Security program gradually raised the full retirement age starting in 2000. Workers born before 1943 had a full retirement age of 65. For those born in 1943 through 1954, the full retirement age is 66. For those born in 1955, it is 66 and two months; for those born in 1956, it is 66 and four months; and so on, increasing by two months for each birth year until reaching 67.
If you were born in 1960 or later, your full retirement age is 67. The Social Security Administration does not plan to raise the full retirement age beyond 67 under current law. You can find your exact full retirement age on the Social Security Administration's website or by calling their toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213.
What happens if you claim at 62
Claiming at 62 gives you the earliest access to benefits, but your monthly payment is permanently reduced. The reduction is roughly 30 percent if your full retirement age is 67, and roughly 25 percent if your full retirement age is 66. The exact percentage depends on how many months before your full retirement age you claim. This reduction stays in place for the rest of your life — it does not increase when you reach your full retirement age.
Claiming early makes sense for some people: those in poor health, those who need the income when ready, or those who have other resources and want to receive benefits while they can. However, if you continue working after claiming at 62, Social Security will reduce your benefits further. In 2024, Social Security reduces your benefit by $1 for every $2 you earn above $22,320 per year. This earnings limit applies only until you reach your full retirement age.
What happens if you claim at your full retirement age
Claiming at your full retirement age means you receive your primary insurance amount — the full benefit calculated based on your earnings history. There is no reduction, and there is no earnings limit. You can work and earn as much as you want without any reduction to your benefits.
Your full retirement age is the midpoint between claiming early and claiming late. It is the age at which Social Security considers you to have reached retirement, even though you can claim earlier or later. Many people claim at this age because it balances the desire to receive benefits with the desire to receive a reasonable monthly amount.
What happens if you delay until 70
For every year you delay claiming past your full retirement age, your monthly benefit increases by 8 percent per year, up until age 70. If your full retirement age is 67 and you delay until 70, your monthly benefit will be 24 percent higher than your full retirement age amount. If your full retirement age is 66 and you delay until 70, your monthly benefit will be 32 percent higher.
Delaying past age 70 does not increase your benefit further. At age 70, you have reached the maximum possible monthly payment. Delaying makes sense if you are in good health, do not need the income yet, and want to maximize the amount you receive each month. It also protects your spouse or survivor — if you pass away, your surviving spouse or children may receive benefits based on your higher amount.
How your earnings history affects your benefit amount
Social Security calculates your benefit based on your highest 35 years of earnings. The program indexes your earnings to account for wage growth over time, then calculates an average. If you worked fewer than 35 years, Social Security counts zeros for the missing years, which lowers your average and your benefit.
You need at least 40 credits to receive retirement benefits. You earn one credit for each $1,730 of earnings in 2024 (this amount changes each year). Most people earn four credits per year, meaning you need at least 10 years of work to reach 40 credits. If you have not worked long enough, you cannot claim retirement benefits on your own record, though you may be able to claim on a spouse's or ex-spouse's record.
How to find your estimated benefit amount
The Social Security Administration provides a free online tool called "Benefit Calculators" on its website. The Quick Calculator gives you a rough estimate in minutes. The Detailed Calculator uses your actual earnings record and gives a more precise estimate. The Retirement Estimator lets you see estimates for different claiming ages — 62, your full retirement age, and 70.
To use the Retirement Estimator, you need to create a my Social Security account on the Social Security Administration's website. This account also shows your earnings record, which you should review for accuracy. If you find errors, you can correct them by contacting Social Security directly. Your earnings record directly affects your benefit amount, so it is worth checking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my mind after I start collecting Social Security?
Yes, but only within limits. If you claimed within the past 12 months, you can withdraw your claim and repay what you received, which resets your benefit to a higher amount if you claim again later. After 12 months, you cannot withdraw your claim. However, you can suspend your benefits at your full retirement age and let them grow until age 70, though this is rarely done.
What if I'm still working when I turn 62?
You can claim at 62 while still working, but Social Security will reduce your benefit if you earn above the annual limit. In 2024, the limit is $22,320 per year. Once you reach your full retirement age, the earnings limit no longer applies, and you can work and earn as much as you want without any reduction to your benefits.
Do I have to claim Social Security at my full retirement age?
No. Your full retirement age is straightforward the age at which you receive your full benefit amount with no reduction. You can claim anytime between 62 and 70. The choice is yours based on your circumstances, health, and financial needs.
What happens to my benefits if I'm married?
Your spouse may be able to claim benefits on your record, even if they did not work or did not work long enough to claim on their own. Your spouse's benefit is calculated separately and does not reduce your benefit. Spousal benefits have their own rules about when they can be claimed and how much they are reduced if claimed early.
Can I claim Social Security if I'm not a U.S. citizen?
You can claim if you have a valid Social Security number and meet the work requirement of 40 credits. Citizenship is not required. However, if you are not a U.S. citizen and you leave the country, there are restrictions on where Social Security can send your payments. Contact Social Security directly to understand how this applies to your situation.