The age when you can start collecting depends on which program you're in
Social Security has different programs, and each one has its own starting age. If you're looking at retirement benefits, you can claim as early as age 62, but your monthly payment will be smaller than if you wait. If you're receiving disability benefits, you can collect at any age if you meet the program's medical requirements. Survivor benefits for family members can start even earlier — children can receive payments based on a parent's record.
The key point: your age alone doesn't determine when you can start. The program you're in, your work history, and sometimes your family situation all matter. Understanding these rules helps you decide when to claim and what to expect.
Key Takeaways
- Retirement benefits can begin at age 62, but waiting until your full retirement age or age 70 results in a larger monthly payment.
- Disability benefits have no minimum age requirement — you can receive them at any age if you meet the medical criteria and work history requirements.
- Survivor benefits allow family members, including children under 19 and spouses of any age caring for young children, to collect based on a deceased worker's record.
- Your full retirement age depends on your birth year and ranges from 66 to 67 for people born in 1943 or later.
Retirement benefits: age 62 is the earliest, but waiting pays more
You can claim Social Security retirement benefits starting at age 62. This is the earliest age the program allows. However, if you claim at 62, your monthly payment will be roughly 30 percent lower than if you wait until your full retirement age. Your full retirement age depends on when you were born — for people born in 1943 or later, it ranges from 66 to 67.
If you wait until age 70 to claim, your monthly payment increases by about 8 percent for each year you delay past your full retirement age. This means someone who waits from age 67 to age 70 receives roughly 24 percent more per month than they would have at 67. The trade-off is straightforward: claim early and get smaller payments for longer, or wait and get larger payments for fewer years.
You do not have to be retired to claim retirement benefits. You can still be working. However, if you claim before your full retirement age and earn above a certain amount from work, Social Security will reduce your monthly payment. Once you reach your full retirement age, there is no earnings limit.
Disability benefits: no age requirement if you meet medical criteria
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) has no minimum age. You can receive disability benefits at 25, 35, or 55 — what matters is whether your condition meets the program's medical definition of disability and whether you have enough work history.
To may have access to for SSDI, you must have a medical condition that prevents you from working and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. The Social Security Administration has a list of conditions that automatically meet this standard, but you can also show that your condition prevents substantial work even if it is not on the list. You also need to have worked and paid Social Security taxes for a certain number of years — the exact requirement depends on your age when you became disabled.
There is a five-month waiting period after your disability begins before payments start. This means if you became disabled in January, your first payment would arrive in June. During those five months, you can still work and earn income without affecting your future benefits.
Survivor benefits: family members can collect at various ages
When a worker who paid into Social Security dies, their family members may be able to collect survivor benefits based on that person's work record. The ages and relationships that may have access to vary.
Children under age 19 can receive survivor benefits (or up to age 23 if they are full-time students). A spouse of any age can collect if they are caring for the deceased worker's child who is under age 16. Spouses age 60 and older can also collect, as can ex-spouses in some situations. Parents of the deceased worker can collect if they were dependent on that worker's income.
Survivor benefits do not require the family member to have worked or paid taxes themselves. The payment is based entirely on the deceased worker's Social Security record. Each family member typically receives a percentage of what the worker would have received, though the total paid to all family members has a limit.
How your birth year affects your full retirement age
Your full retirement age — the age at which you receive your complete retirement benefit — is determined by your birth year. This is not the same as age 65, which many people assume.
| 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 or later | 67 |
If you were born in 1960 or later, your full retirement age is 67. If you were born between 1943 and 1954, it is 66. The years in between have a staggered schedule that increases by two months for each birth year.
What happens if you claim before your full retirement age
Claiming at 62 instead of waiting until your full retirement age means a permanent reduction in your monthly payment. The reduction is roughly 30 percent if your full retirement age is 67, or about 25 percent if your full retirement age is 66. This reduction applies to every payment you receive for the rest of your life.
If you claim early and continue working, Social Security will also withhold part of your payment if your earnings exceed a limit. For 2024, if you have not yet reached your full retirement age, Social Security withholds $1 for every $2 you earn above $23,400. In the year you reach your full retirement age, the limit is higher and applies only to earnings before the month you reach that age.
Despite the reduction, claiming early makes sense for some people — those with health problems, those who need the income now, or those who do not expect to live into their 80s. A financial advisor or the Social Security Administration can help you understand the long-term impact of claiming at different ages.
How to find out when you can claim
The Social Security Administration provides a tool on its website (ssa.gov) where you can create an account and view your earnings record and benefit estimates. This shows you how much you would receive at different claiming ages and confirms that you have enough work history to receive benefits.
You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to speak with a representative. They can answer questions about your specific situation and explain how your work history affects your benefits. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you can use the TTY number 1-800-325-0778.
Before you claim, make sure your earnings record is correct. Mistakes on your record can lower your benefit amount. You can view your record online through your Social Security account or request a paper statement by mail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim Social Security if I have not worked for 10 years?
It depends on how much you worked before those 10 years. Social Security requires 40 work credits to receive retirement benefits, which usually means about 10 years of work. If you earned those credits before your break, you may still be able to claim. Contact Social Security to review your earnings record and see whether you have enough credits.
What if I claim at 62 but change my mind later?
You can withdraw your claim within 12 months of claiming and repay all the benefits you received. This resets your claim, and you can claim again later at a higher amount. After 12 months, you cannot withdraw your claim, but you can suspend your benefits at your full retirement age and let them grow until age 70.
Can my spouse claim benefits based on my work record?
Yes. A spouse age 62 or older can claim a spousal benefit based on your work record, even if they did not work themselves. A spouse of any age caring for your child under age 16 can also claim. The spousal benefit is typically 32 to 50 percent of your full retirement benefit, depending on the spouse's age when they claim.
Do I need to be a U.S. citizen to claim Social Security?
No, but you do need a Social Security number and a valid immigration status. Certain non-citizens who have worked and paid Social Security taxes can receive benefits. Contact Social Security directly to discuss your immigration status and may be able to access.
What happens to my benefits if I move out of the country?
You can receive Social Security benefits while living outside the United States in most countries. However, some countries have restrictions. Contact Social Security before you move to confirm that your benefits will continue and to update your address.