You can start collecting Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62, but your monthly payment will be smaller than if you wait
The earliest age to claim Social Security retirement benefits is 62. However, claiming at 62 means you receive a permanently reduced monthly payment — typically 30 percent less than you would receive at your full retirement age. The Social Security Administration calls this your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), and the reduction is permanent for the life of your benefit.
Your 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 through 1954, full retirement age is 66. For those born in 1960 or later, it is 67. If you were born between those years, your full retirement age falls somewhere in between, typically increasing by a few months for each year of birth.
You can also delay claiming past your full retirement age. If you wait until age 70, your monthly benefit increases by about 8 percent for each year you delay. This means someone who waits from age 67 to age 70 receives roughly 24 percent more per month than they would have at 67.
Key Takeaways
- You can claim Social Security retirement benefits starting at age 62, but your monthly payment will be reduced for life.
- Your full retirement age depends on your birth year and ranges from 66 to 67 for most people alive today.
- Waiting until age 70 increases your monthly benefit by about 8 percent per year compared to your full retirement age.
- You must have earned at least 40 work credits (roughly 10 years of work) to receive retirement benefits based on your own earnings record.
- You can view your estimated benefit amounts at ssa.gov using your personal account, which shows what you would receive at different claiming ages.
How work credits affect when you can claim
Social Security bases retirement benefits on your work history. You earn work credits by paying Social Security taxes on your wages. In 2024, you earn one credit for every $1,730 of wages you earn, up to a maximum of four credits per year. You need 40 credits total to receive retirement benefits — this typically means about 10 years of work.
If you have not yet earned 40 credits, you cannot claim retirement benefits at any age. You can check how many credits you have earned by creating an account at ssa.gov and viewing your Social Security Statement. This statement also shows your estimated benefit amounts at different claiming ages.
Work credits are not the same as years worked. If you worked part-time or had low earnings in some years, you may have fewer credits than years of work. Conversely, if you earned high wages, you may have earned four credits in a single year.
Full retirement age by birth year
| 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 |
How claiming age affects your lifetime benefits
The choice between claiming early, at full retirement age, or delaying is not just about the monthly amount — it is about how much you receive over your lifetime. Someone who claims at 62 receives payments for eight more years than someone who waits until 70, but each monthly payment is much smaller. Someone who waits until 70 receives fewer total payments but each one is significantly larger.
The break-even point — where the total amount received is roughly equal — typically occurs in the early 80s. If you live past your mid-80s, waiting to claim usually results in more total lifetime benefits. If you expect to live a shorter life due to health conditions, claiming earlier may result in more total money received.
This is a personal decision that depends on your health, family history, financial needs, and other sources of income. There is no single "right" age to claim — only the age that makes sense for your situation.
Spousal and survivor benefits tied to your claiming age
If you are married, your spouse may be able to receive benefits based on your work record. The amount your spouse receives also depends on your claiming age and their age when they claim. If you delay claiming, your spouse's potential benefit amount increases as well.
Your children and surviving spouse can also receive benefits based on your record if you pass away. The total family benefit amount is capped at roughly 150 to 180 percent of your Primary Insurance Amount, depending on how many family members receive benefits. Claiming earlier reduces not only your benefit but also the maximum amount available to your family.
What happens if you claim before full retirement age and continue working
If you claim Social Security before your full retirement age and earn income from work, Social Security reduces your benefits. In 2024, for every $2 you earn above $23,400, your benefit is reduced by $1. This reduction applies only until you reach your full retirement age.
Once you reach your full retirement age, the earnings limit no longer applies, and you can work and receive your full benefit amount with no reduction. The months in which you reach full retirement age have a different limit — $62,160 in 2024 — and the reduction is $1 for every $3 earned above that amount, but only for the months before you reach full retirement age.
Any benefits withheld due to earnings are not lost. Social Security recalculates your benefit at your full retirement age to account for the months you did not receive payments, which increases your monthly amount going forward.
How to view your estimated benefits
The Social Security Administration provides personalized estimates of what you would receive at different claiming ages. To see these estimates, create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov. You will need your Social Security number, email address, and a way to verify your identity.
Once you log in, your Social Security Statement shows your earnings history, the number of work credits you have earned, and estimated benefit amounts if you claim at 62, at your full retirement age, and at 70. These estimates are based on your actual earnings record and assume you continue working at your current pace until you claim.
If you do not have internet access or prefer to speak with someone, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to request a paper statement or discuss your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim Social Security at 62 if I am still working?
Yes, you can claim at 62 while working, but your benefits will be reduced if you earn above the annual limit. In 2024, Social Security reduces your benefit by $1 for every $2 you earn above $23,400. Once you reach your full retirement age, this earnings limit no longer applies.
What is the difference between early, full, and delayed retirement age?
Early retirement age is 62, when you can first claim but receive a permanently reduced benefit. Full retirement age is when you receive your complete benefit amount — between 66 and 67 depending on birth year. Delayed retirement is age 70, when your benefit is increased by about 8 percent per year for each year you waited past full retirement age.
If I did not work 10 years, can I still get Social Security?
You cannot receive retirement benefits on your own work record without 40 credits (roughly 10 years of work). However, you may be able to receive spousal or survivor benefits based on your spouse's or ex-spouse's record, even if you have not worked that long yourself.
Does my benefit amount change after I start collecting?
Yes. Your benefit is adjusted each year for cost-of-living increases. Social Security announces the adjustment amount in October, and it takes effect in January. Your benefit may also change if you continue working and have higher earnings than years already counted in your benefit calculation.
What happens to my benefits if I move out of the United States?
You can receive Social Security benefits while living in most countries. However, benefits to family members may be affected, and some countries have specific rules. Contact Social Security before you move to understand how it affects your benefits and those of any family members receiving benefits on your record.