You can start collecting Social Security retirement benefits at age 62, but your monthly payment will be smaller than if you wait

The earliest age you can claim Social Security retirement benefits is 62. However, claiming at 62 means you receive a reduced monthly payment for the rest of your life — typically 30 percent less than you would get if you waited until your full retirement age. Your full retirement age depends on the year you were born and ranges from 66 to 67 for most people today.

You do not have to claim at 62. You can wait until your full retirement age, or even delay until age 70, when your monthly benefit reaches its maximum. The longer you wait, the larger each monthly check becomes. This choice — when to claim — is one of the most important financial decisions you will make, because it affects how much money you receive every month for potentially decades.

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 receive your standard benefit amount) is between 66 and 67, depending on your birth year.
  • Waiting until age 70 increases your monthly benefit by about 8 percent for each year you delay past your full retirement age.
  • You must have worked and paid Social Security taxes for at least 10 years (40 quarters) to be may have access to to your own retirement benefit.
  • You can claim spousal or survivor benefits at different ages than your own retirement benefit, with their own reduction rules.

How your birth year determines your full retirement age

Social Security uses a sliding scale based on when you were born. If you were born in 1943 or earlier, your full retirement age is 65. For people born between 1943 and 1954, the full retirement age gradually increases by two months per year. If you were born in 1955, your full retirement age is 66 and two months. 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. Knowing this number matters because it is the baseline for calculating what you receive at any other claiming age. If you claim before your full retirement age, your benefit is reduced. If you claim after, your benefit increases.

What happens if you claim at 62

Claiming at 62 gives you the smallest monthly payment you can receive as a retiree. The reduction is permanent — even after you reach your full retirement age, your monthly check does not increase to what it would have been. The exact reduction depends on how many months early you claim. Claiming at 62 when your full retirement age is 67 typically reduces your benefit by about 30 percent.

People often claim at 62 because they need the money now, have health concerns, or want to receive benefits while they can still enjoy retirement. These are personal reasons that only you can weigh. However, if you live a long life, you will receive less total money over your lifetime by claiming early. Social Security publishes break-even calculators to help you think through this trade-off.

Waiting until your full retirement age or beyond

If you wait until your full retirement age, you receive your standard benefit amount — the amount Social Security calculated based on your earnings history. This is sometimes called your primary insurance amount or PIA. You receive this amount whether you claim at your full retirement age or any time after.

If you delay claiming past your full retirement age, your benefit grows by about 8 percent per year until age 70. This is called a delayed retirement credit. If your full retirement age is 67 and you wait until 70, your monthly benefit will be roughly 24 percent higher than it would have been at 67. After age 70, your benefit stops growing, so there is no financial advantage to waiting longer.

Work requirements and your earnings record

To receive your own Social Security retirement benefit, you must have worked and paid Social Security taxes for at least 10 years, which equals 40 quarters of coverage. A quarter is roughly three months; you can earn up to four quarters per year. If you have not worked 10 years, you may still be may have access to to a spousal or survivor benefit based on someone else's record, but not your own retirement benefit.

Social Security bases your benefit amount on your highest 35 years of earnings. If you worked fewer than 35 years, zeros are counted for the missing years, which lowers your average. This is why people who took time out of the workforce for caregiving or other reasons often receive smaller benefits. You can view your earnings record and estimated benefits on your Social Security account at ssa.gov.

Spousal and survivor benefits have different age rules

If you are married, divorced, or a widow or widower, you may be may have access to to benefits based on your spouse's or ex-spouse's earnings record. These benefits follow different rules than your own retirement benefit. A spouse can claim a spousal benefit as early as age 62, but the reduction is steeper than for retirement benefits — typically 32 to 35 percent. A surviving spouse can claim survivor benefits at age 60, or at any age if caring for a child under 16.

If you are divorced, you may be may have access to to benefits on your ex-spouse's record if you were married at least 10 years and are at least 62 years old. You do not need your ex-spouse's permission, and claiming on their record does not reduce their own benefit. These rules are complex, and your situation may have exceptions, so it is worth speaking with Social Security directly.

How to claim and what to bring

You can claim Social Security online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. Online is usually the fastest route. You will need your Social Security number, birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and a bank account number if you want direct deposit.

If you are claiming spousal or survivor benefits, you will also need to provide proof of your relationship — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or death certificate. Social Security will ask you questions about your work history and any other benefits you receive. Processing typically takes two to four weeks, though it can take longer if documents are missing or unclear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work and still collect Social Security before my full retirement age?

Yes, but Social Security will reduce your benefit if your earnings exceed a certain amount. In 2024, if you are under your full retirement age for the entire year, Social Security deducts one dollar from your benefit for every two dollars you earn above the limit. The limit changes yearly. Once you reach your full retirement age, there is no earnings limit.

What if I claim early and then change my mind?

You can withdraw your claim within 12 months of claiming and repay all benefits you received. This resets your claim, and you can file again later at a higher benefit amount. After 12 months, you cannot withdraw, but you can suspend your benefits at your full retirement age and let them grow until 70.

Do I have to claim Social Security at my full retirement age?

No. You can claim anytime between 62 and 70. There is no requirement to claim at your full retirement age. Many people delay past their full retirement age to receive a larger monthly benefit, especially if they are still working or in good health.

What happens to my benefits if I die before I claim?

Your family members may be may have access to to survivor benefits based on your earnings record. Your spouse, ex-spouse, children under 19 (or 23 if in school), and dependent parents may all be may have access to. They do not need you to have claimed first — survivor benefits are separate from retirement benefits.

Can I claim Social Security if I am not a U.S. citizen?

Yes, if you have a valid Social Security number and meet the work requirements. You must be a lawful permanent resident or have another may have access to immigration status. Undocumented immigrants cannot receive Social Security benefits. Contact Social Security directly to discuss your specific situation.