The earliest and latest ages to claim Social Security
You can claim Social Security as early as age 62, but your monthly payment will be smaller than if you wait. You can also wait until age 70, when your payment reaches its maximum. The age you choose to claim determines how much you receive each month for the rest of your life.
Most people become may be able to access for Social Security at 62. However, the "full retirement age" — the age at which you receive your full benefit amount — depends on the year you were born. For people born in 1943 or later, full retirement age ranges from 66 to 67. If you claim before full retirement age, your monthly payment is permanently reduced. If you claim after full retirement age, your payment increases by about 8 percent for each year you delay, up until age 70.
You do not have to claim at any particular age. The decision is yours to make based on your circumstances, health, and financial needs. Once you claim, you cannot undo that choice, so understanding the trade-offs matters.
Key Takeaways
- You can claim Social Security at 62, but your monthly payment will be reduced if you have not yet reached full retirement age.
- Full retirement age is 66 or 67 depending on your birth year, and claiming at that age gives you your standard benefit amount.
- Waiting until 70 increases your monthly payment by about 8 percent per year, but you receive fewer total payments over your lifetime if you die early.
- You must have worked and paid Social Security taxes for at least 10 years (40 quarters) to claim benefits on your own record.
- Spouses and ex-spouses may be able to claim on your record even if they did not work enough to earn their own benefits.
How your birth year determines full retirement age
The Social Security Administration sets full retirement age based on when you were born. This is the age at which you receive 100 percent of your calculated benefit — not a reduced or increased amount.
| 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 and later | 67 |
If you were born on January 1, use the previous year's full retirement age. The Social Security Administration uses these ages to calculate your benefit reduction if you claim early or your benefit increase if you claim late.
What happens if you claim at 62
Claiming at 62 gives you the earliest possible payments, but your monthly benefit is permanently lower. The reduction depends on how many months early you claim compared to your full retirement age. If your full retirement age is 67 and you claim at 62, you lose about 30 percent of your benefit for life.
This reduction applies to every payment you receive, whether you live to 80, 90, or beyond. You cannot change your mind after you claim and ask for a higher payment later. The only exception is if you withdraw your claim within 12 months of filing and repay all benefits you received — a rare option that comes with tax consequences.
Claiming early makes sense if you need the money now, expect a shorter lifespan, or have other income sources. It does not make sense if you are in good health, have other savings, or expect to live into your 80s or 90s, because you will receive less total money over your lifetime.
What happens if you wait until full retirement age or later
If you wait until your full retirement age, you receive your standard benefit amount with no reduction. If you wait past full retirement age, your benefit increases by about 8 percent per year until age 70. At 70, the increases stop, so there is no financial advantage to waiting beyond that age.
The trade-off is that you receive fewer total payments if you die before reaching your mid-80s. However, if you live into your 90s, waiting until 70 means you receive significantly more money over your lifetime. Married couples can also use delayed claiming strategically: one spouse may claim early while the other waits, spreading out when household benefits begin.
Waiting also protects you against inflation. Social Security payments adjust each year for cost of living, and a higher starting payment means a higher adjusted payment in future years. This matters if you live a long time and inflation remains high.
Work history requirements to claim on your own record
To claim Social Security based on your own work history, you must have worked and paid Social Security taxes for at least 10 years. The Social Security Administration counts this as 40 quarters of coverage. A quarter is roughly three months, and you can earn up to four quarters per year regardless of when during the year you worked.
You do not need to have worked 10 consecutive years. Gaps in your work history are fine. The system counts only the years in which you earned enough to register a quarter of coverage, which changes each year. In 2024, you need to earn $1,705 in a quarter to count toward the 40-quarter requirement, though this amount increases annually.
If you have not worked 10 years, you cannot claim on your own record. However, you may still be able to claim as a spouse, ex-spouse, or dependent of someone who has worked enough quarters.
Claiming as a spouse or ex-spouse
If you are married, you may be able to claim a spousal benefit even if you did not work enough to earn your own Social Security. Your spousal benefit is up to 50 percent of your spouse's full retirement age benefit, but only if you have reached your own full retirement age. If you claim before full retirement age, your spousal benefit is reduced.
If you are divorced, you can claim on your ex-spouse's record if you were married for at least 10 years, are at least 62 years old, and are not currently married. Your ex-spouse does not have to have claimed yet — they only need to be at least 62. You do not need your ex-spouse's permission, and claiming on their record does not reduce their own benefit.
Spousal and ex-spousal benefits have their own full retirement ages and reduction rules. If you claim a spousal benefit before your full retirement age, it is reduced more than your own benefit would be. The Social Security Administration can explain your specific options based on your work history and family situation.
How to find your full retirement age and estimated benefit
The Social Security Administration maintains a record of your work history and earnings. You can create an account on ssa.gov to view your Social Security Statement, which shows your estimated benefit at different claiming ages: 62, full retirement age, and 70.
Your statement also shows your full retirement age based on your birth date. You can print this statement or save it as a PDF. The estimates assume you continue to work at your current earnings level until you claim, so if your income changes significantly, your actual benefit may differ.
If you do not have an online account, you can request a paper statement by mail or call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213. The process takes a few weeks by mail but is free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim Social Security while I'm still working?
Yes, but if you claim before full retirement age and earn above a certain amount, Social Security will reduce your benefit. In 2024, if you are under full retirement age for the entire year, your benefit is reduced by $1 for every $2 you earn above $23,400. Once you reach full retirement age, there is no earnings limit.
What if I was born on January 1?
If you were born on January 1, Social Security treats you as if you were born on December 31 of the previous year. This means your full retirement age is based on the prior year's birth year. Check your Social Security Statement or call 1-800-772-1213 to confirm your exact full retirement age.
Can I change my mind after I claim?
You can withdraw your claim within 12 months of filing and repay all benefits you received. After 12 months, you cannot undo your claim. If you are past full retirement age, you can suspend your benefits to let them grow, but this is different from withdrawing your claim entirely.
Do I have to claim at a specific age?
No. You can claim anytime between 62 and 70. There is no penalty for waiting, and no requirement to claim at full retirement age. The choice is entirely yours based on your health, financial needs, and life expectancy.
What happens to my benefits if I die?
Your family members may be able to claim survivor benefits based on your Social Security record. may be able to access survivors include your spouse, ex-spouse, children under 19 (or 23 if in school), and dependent parents. The total amount your family can receive is limited, but it does not depend on how much you claimed during your lifetime.