You can start collecting Social Security at 62, but waiting until your full retirement age or 70 gives you a larger monthly payment

Social Security payments begin when you contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) to request them. You do not automatically receive benefits when you turn 62 — you have to take the step of starting the process yourself. The age you choose to start affects how much you receive each month for the rest of your life, so understanding your options before you contact SSA matters.

The earliest you can collect is 62. If you wait until your full retirement age (which ranges from 66 to 67 depending on your birth year), your monthly payment is larger. If you wait until 70, it is larger still — roughly 24 percent more than at full retirement age. There is no advantage to waiting past 70.

Key Takeaways

  • You must contact the Social Security Administration yourself to start benefits; they do not begin automatically at any age.
  • Starting at 62 gives you the smallest monthly payment but you receive payments for more years; waiting until 70 gives you the largest monthly payment but fewer years of payments.
  • You can explore online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office.
  • The process process takes about two weeks if you explore online, longer if you explore by phone or in person.
  • You will need your birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and your W-2 forms or tax returns from the past two years.

Understanding the three main ages for Social Security

Age 62 is the earliest you can collect. Your monthly payment at 62 is permanently reduced — typically 30 percent lower than what you would receive at full retirement age. This reduction stays in place for your entire life, even after you reach full retirement age. Most people who start at 62 do so because they need the income now, not because it is the best long-term choice.

Your full retirement age is the age at which Social Security considers you fully retired. For people born between 1943 and 1954, it is 66. For people born between 1955 and 1960, it increases gradually from 66 and 2 months to 67. For people born in 1960 or later, it is 67. If you wait until this age, you receive your full benefit amount with no reduction.

Age 70 is the latest age that makes sense to wait. If you delay past 70, your benefit does not increase further. Between full retirement age and 70, your benefit grows by roughly 8 percent per year. Waiting from 66 to 70 means a 32 percent larger monthly payment than at 66.

How to decide when to start: the break-even point

Whether to start at 62, full retirement age, or 70 depends partly on your health and family history. If you expect to live into your mid-80s or beyond, waiting usually means more total money over your lifetime. If you have serious health concerns or your family history suggests a shorter lifespan, starting earlier may make more sense.

The "break-even" point is roughly age 80 if you compare starting at 62 versus full retirement age, and roughly age 86 if you compare full retirement age versus 70. If you live past those ages, the larger monthly payment from waiting will have added up to more total money. If you do not, the smaller monthly payment from starting early will have added up to more.

Other factors matter too: whether you have a spouse who may receive benefits based on your record, whether you plan to work and earn income (which can reduce benefits before full retirement age), and whether you need the money now. There is no single right answer — only the choice that fits your situation.

The online process at ssa.gov

The fastest way to start is to create an account at ssa.gov and explore online. You will need your Social Security number, birth date, and an email address. The online form takes about 15 to 20 minutes to complete. Once you submit it, SSA typically contacts you within two weeks to verify information and schedule any appointments needed.

The online process asks for basic information: your name, address, phone number, and citizenship status. It also asks whether you are still working and how much you earn, because income above a certain amount can reduce your benefits before full retirement age. Be honest about your work status — SSA will verify it with your tax records.

After you submit the online process, you will receive a confirmation number. Keep it. You may be asked to provide documents by mail or upload them through your ssa.gov account. The whole process from submission to approval usually takes two to four weeks.

explore by phone or in person

You can also start the process by calling the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213. The line is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time. Wait times are often long, especially early in the week and early in the month. If you call, have your Social Security number, birth certificate, and recent tax returns or W-2 forms nearby.

A representative will ask you the same questions as the online form and may schedule you for an in-person appointment at your local Social Security office. This appointment is usually not required if you explore online, but it may be required if you explore by phone. The appointment is to verify your identity and sign documents.

You can also walk into your local Social Security office without an appointment, though you may wait several hours. Find your office at ssa.gov/locator. Bring the same documents you would need for a phone call: your Social Security number, birth certificate, and proof of citizenship or legal residency.

Documents you will need

Before you contact SSA, gather these documents. You do not need all of them for every process, but having them ready speeds up the process.

  • Your original birth certificate or a certified copy.
  • Proof of U.S. citizenship: a passport, naturalization papers, or a state-issued ID that shows citizenship.
  • If you are not a U.S. citizen, proof of legal residency: a green card or visa.
  • Your W-2 forms or tax returns from the past two years. SSA uses these to verify your earnings record.
  • Your bank account number and routing number if you want benefits deposited directly (which is required for new beneficiaries).

If you have been married more than once, bring divorce decrees or annulment papers. If you are currently married, bring your marriage certificate. If your name has changed, bring legal documents showing the change (marriage certificate, court order, etc.).

What happens after you explore

After SSA receives your process, they will verify your earnings record using your Social Security number and tax history. This usually takes two to four weeks. During this time, they may contact you by phone or mail if they need more information.

Once approved, SSA will send you a notice showing your monthly benefit amount and the date your first payment will arrive. All new beneficiaries must receive payments by direct deposit to a bank account, debit card, or prepaid card. You cannot receive a paper check.

Your first payment usually arrives one to two months after you are approved. If you applied online, you can check the status of your process anytime by logging into your ssa.gov account. If you applied by phone or in person, you can call 1-800-772-1213 to ask about your status.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I start Social Security while I am still working?

Yes, but if you are under full retirement age and earn more than a certain amount per year, your benefits will be reduced. In 2024, the limit is $23,400 per year. For every $2 you earn above that, $1 is withheld from your benefits. Once you reach full retirement age, there is no earnings limit and no reduction.

What if I started at 62 but now wish I had waited?

You can withdraw your process within 12 months of starting and repay all the benefits you received. This resets your record as if you never started. After 12 months, you cannot withdraw, but you can suspend your benefits at full retirement age and let them grow until 70. Suspended benefits do not earn the 8 percent yearly increase, so this option is less valuable than withdrawing within the first year.

Do I need to contact Social Security every year to keep receiving benefits?

No. Once you start, benefits continue automatically each month. However, SSA may contact you periodically to verify that you are still alive and that your circumstances have not changed in ways that affect your benefits (such as a significant increase in income or a change in residency).

What if I was married and am now divorced?

You may be able to collect benefits based on your ex-spouse's earnings record if you were married for at least 10 years and are at least 62. You do not need your ex-spouse's permission. Mention your marriage history when you explore, and SSA will determine whether you are may be able to access for benefits on both your own record and your ex-spouse's record, then pay you whichever is higher.

How long does it take to receive my first payment after I am approved?

Your first payment usually arrives one to two months after SSA approves your process. The exact timing depends on when in the month you are approved and which day of the month your payments are scheduled. SSA will tell you the specific date in your approval notice.