The earliest age you can claim Social Security is 62
You can begin receiving Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62, but your monthly payment will be smaller than if you wait. The exact reduction depends on how many years before your full retirement age you claim — the age at which you become may have access to to your full benefit amount.
Full retirement age is not 65 for most people today. It ranges from 66 to 67, depending on the year you were born. 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 Social Security Administration has a chart showing the exact age for your birth year.
You do not have to claim at 62 just because you can. Many people wait until full retirement age or even until 70, when your monthly payment reaches its maximum. The choice depends on your health, how long you expect to live, whether you are still working, and whether you need the money now.
Key Takeaways
- You can claim Social Security as early as age 62, but your monthly payment will be permanently reduced if you claim before your full retirement age.
- Full retirement age is 66 or 67 depending on your birth year, and the Social Security Administration website shows the exact age for you.
- Waiting until age 70 increases your monthly payment by about 8 percent for each year you delay past your full retirement age.
- If you are still working and claim before full retirement age, your benefits may be reduced if your earnings exceed a certain amount each year.
How much your payment changes based on when you claim
Claiming at 62 instead of your full retirement age reduces your monthly benefit by roughly 25 to 30 percent, depending on your exact birth year. This reduction is permanent — your payment will never increase to what it would have been if you had waited.
The opposite is true if you delay. For each year you wait past your full retirement age, your monthly payment increases by about 8 percent per year, up until age 70. After 70, your payment does not increase further, so there is no financial reason to delay beyond that age.
The Social Security Administration can tell you the exact amount you would receive at different ages. You can create a my Social Security account on their website to see your personal benefit estimate, or call 1-800-772-1213 to speak with someone who can calculate it for you.
What happens if you are still working when you claim
If you claim Social Security before your full retirement age and continue to work, your benefits will be reduced if your earnings exceed a limit set each year. In 2024, that limit is $23,400 per year. For every $2 you earn above that amount, Social Security withholds $1 from your benefits.
The earnings limit applies only in the year you reach full retirement age, up until the month you turn that age. Once you reach full retirement age, you can earn any amount without losing benefits. This rule matters most if you plan to claim early but keep working.
Some people claim at 62 while still working, find the earnings limit too restrictive, and then ask to suspend their benefits. You can withdraw your claim within 12 months of claiming and repay what you received, which restores your higher benefit amount. After 12 months, you cannot withdraw your claim, but you can suspend benefits at full retirement age and let them grow until 70.
Spousal and survivor benefits have different age rules
If you are married, divorced, or widowed, you may be may have access to to benefits based on your spouse's or ex-spouse's work record. The rules for when you can claim these benefits differ from retirement benefits.
A surviving spouse can claim widow or widower benefits as early as age 60, or at any age if caring for a child under 16. A divorced person can claim spousal benefits based on an ex-spouse's record at age 62, or at full retirement age if they want the full spousal amount. A current spouse can claim a spousal benefit at full retirement age or later.
These benefits are also reduced if you claim before full retirement age. The reduction is different from the retirement benefit reduction, so the Social Security Administration can calculate your specific amounts.
How to find your full retirement age
The Social Security Administration publishes a birth year chart that shows your full retirement age. You can find it on their website by searching "full retirement age" or by calling 1-800-772-1213.
If you create a my Social Security account online, the site will show your full retirement age and your estimated benefit amounts at different claiming ages. You will need your Social Security number, email address, and a way to verify your identity — usually a phone number or bank account.
You can also request a Social Security Statement by mail if you do not want to create an online account. The statement shows your earnings history and estimated benefits, though it takes longer to arrive than checking online.
When to claim if you have health concerns
If you have a serious health condition and do not expect to live a long time, claiming at 62 may make financial sense because you will receive payments sooner. However, this is a personal decision that depends on your individual situation, not a medical rule.
Social Security does not have a separate process for people with shortened life expectancy. You claim at whatever age you choose, and your monthly payment is based on that age. Some people in this situation claim early; others prioritize leaving a larger survivor benefit to their family, which means waiting longer.
A financial advisor or your doctor cannot tell you what is "right" — only you can weigh whether receiving less money for more years is better than receiving more money for fewer years. The Social Security Administration's website has break-even calculators that show at what age you would receive the same total amount whether you claimed at 62 or waited.
What to do before you claim
Before you claim, gather your Social Security number, birth certificate, and proof of citizenship or legal residency. You will also need your bank account information if you want benefits deposited directly, which is now required for new claims.
Check your earnings record on your my Social Security account to make sure it is correct. Mistakes in your earnings history can lower your benefit amount. If you find an error, you can report it through your account or by calling Social Security.
Decide whether you want to claim online, by phone, or in person at a local Social Security office. Online claims at ssa.gov are usually the fastest. Phone claims go through 1-800-772-1213. In-person appointments can be scheduled through the website if you prefer to speak with someone face-to-face.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim Social Security at 62 if I am still working full-time?
Yes, you can claim at 62 while working, but your benefits will be reduced if you earn more than the annual limit (currently $23,400 in 2024). For every $2 you earn above that amount, Social Security withholds $1 from your benefits. Once you reach full retirement age, the earnings limit no longer applies.
What is the difference between full retirement age and Medicare age?
Full retirement age is when you become may have access to to your complete Social Security benefit. Medicare may be able to access begins at 65, which is different from your Social Security full retirement age. You can claim Social Security at 62 but not Medicare until 65, or claim Medicare at 65 but delay Social Security until later.
If I wait until 70 to claim, how much more will I get each month?
Your monthly payment increases by about 8 percent for each year you delay past your full retirement age. 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 payment does not increase further.
Can I change my mind after I start collecting Social Security?
You can withdraw your claim within 12 months of claiming and repay what you received, which restores your higher benefit amount for later. After 12 months, you cannot withdraw, but you can suspend your benefits at full retirement age and let them grow until 70. Once suspended, benefits grow at 8 percent per year.
Do I have to claim Social Security when I turn 62?
No. You can claim at any age from 62 to 70 (or later). There is no requirement to claim at a specific age, and waiting usually results in a higher monthly payment. The choice depends on your personal situation, health, and financial needs.