The Basic Age and Work History Requirements

You can receive Social Security retirement benefits at age 62, but the amount you receive depends on when you claim. If you wait until your full retirement age — which ranges from 66 to 67 depending on your birth year — you receive your full benefit amount. If you wait until 70, your monthly payment increases by about 8 percent for each year you delay.

To receive any Social Security benefit, you need to have worked and paid Social Security taxes for at least 10 years (40 quarters). The Social Security Administration counts your highest 35 years of earnings to calculate your benefit amount. If you have fewer than 35 years of work history, zeros are included in the calculation, which lowers your benefit.

You do not need to be retired to claim Social Security at 62 or later. You can still be working. However, if you claim before your full retirement age and earn above a certain amount from work, your benefits will be temporarily reduced. Once you reach your full retirement age, there is no earnings limit.

Key Takeaways

  • You can claim Social Security as early as age 62, but your monthly payment will be permanently lower than if you wait until your full retirement age.
  • You must have worked and paid Social Security taxes for at least 10 years to receive any benefit.
  • Your full retirement age is between 66 and 67, depending on when you were born, and waiting until then gives you your standard benefit amount.
  • Delaying your claim until age 70 increases your monthly payment by roughly 8 percent per year compared to your full retirement age amount.
  • If you claim before full retirement age and continue working, your benefits may be reduced if your earnings exceed a yearly limit.

How Your Birth Year Affects Your Full Retirement Age

The age at which you receive your full benefit amount is not the same for everyone. The Social Security Administration raised the full retirement age gradually starting in 1983. If you were born in 1943 or earlier, your full retirement age is 65. If you were born between 1943 and 1954, it increases by two months for each year of birth. If you were born in 1955 or later, your full retirement age is 67.

You can find your exact full retirement age on the Social Security Administration's website or by calling them at 1-800-772-1213. Knowing this number matters because it determines when you can claim your full benefit without any reduction, and it also affects how much your benefit grows if you delay past that age.

Survivor and Disability Benefits Have Different Rules

Social Security is not only for retirement. If you become unable to work due to a medical condition that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death, you may receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). There is no minimum age for SSDI — you can receive it at any age if you meet the medical and work history requirements. The work history requirement is usually shorter for younger workers than for older ones.

Family members of someone receiving retirement or disability benefits may also receive benefits based on that person's work record. A spouse can receive benefits at 62 or at any age if caring for a child under 16. Children under 19 (or 19 if still in high school) can receive benefits. Divorced spouses may also be may have access to to benefits. These family benefits do not reduce the primary worker's benefit amount.

What Happens If You Claim Early

Claiming at 62 instead of waiting until your full retirement age means your monthly payment is permanently reduced. The reduction is roughly 30 percent if your full retirement age is 67, and roughly 25 percent if your full retirement age is 66. This reduction stays in place for the rest of your life, even after you reach your full retirement age.

Some people claim early because they need the money now, or because they do not expect to live a long time. Others claim early and continue working, which can result in further temporary reductions if they earn above the yearly limit. If you claim before your full retirement age and earn more than $23,400 in 2024 (this amount changes yearly), your benefits are reduced by $1 for every $2 you earn above that limit.

What Happens If You Delay Past Full Retirement Age

For each year you delay claiming Social Security past your full retirement age, your monthly benefit increases. The increase is about 8 percent per year until you reach age 70. After 70, your benefit no longer increases, so there is no financial advantage to waiting longer than that.

Delaying can make sense if you are in good health, expect to live into your mid-80s or beyond, or do not need the money right away. The longer you live, the more total money you receive by waiting. However, if you claim at 62 and live to 80, you may have received more total money than someone who waited until 70, even though that person's monthly payment is higher.

Government Pension Offsets That May Reduce Your Benefit

If you receive a pension from work where you did not pay Social Security taxes — such as some government jobs, teaching positions, or work outside the United States — your Social Security benefit may be reduced. This is called the Government Pension Offset (GPO) or the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), depending on your situation.

The Government Pension Offset applies if you receive a government pension and also claim benefits as a spouse or widow or widower. It can reduce your family benefit by up to two-thirds of your government pension amount. The Windfall Elimination Provision applies if you receive a government pension and also claim your own Social Security benefit based on work where you did not pay Social Security taxes. It can reduce your benefit by up to half of your government pension amount.

These rules are complex and vary based on when you were born and when you started receiving your government pension. If you have ever worked for a government agency or outside the United States, contact the Social Security Administration to find out whether either of these rules affects you.

How to Find Out Your Specific may be able to access

The Social Security Administration offers a free online account called my Social Security at ssa.gov. You can create an account to see your earnings record, verify your work history, and get an estimate of your future benefits at different claiming ages. This estimate is based on your actual earnings and is more accurate than a general calculator.

You can also call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to speak with someone who can answer questions about your specific situation. They can tell you your full retirement age, estimate your benefit amount, and explain how any government pensions might affect you. Have your Social Security number and birth certificate handy when you call.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim Social Security if I have not worked 10 years?

No, you need at least 10 years of work history where you paid Social Security taxes to receive any retirement benefit. However, if you are disabled or are a family member of someone who receives benefits, different rules may explore. Contact the Social Security Administration to discuss your situation.

What if I was born outside the United States?

You can receive Social Security if you have worked in the United States and paid Social Security taxes for at least 10 years, regardless of where you were born. You do need to be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident to receive benefits. If you have questions about your immigration status and Social Security, call 1-800-772-1213.

Does my marital status affect when I can claim?

Your marital status does not affect when you can claim your own retirement benefit based on your work history. However, if you are married, divorced, or widowed, you may be may have access to to additional benefits based on your spouse's or ex-spouse's work record. These rules are separate from your own benefit and have their own age requirements.

What if I claimed early and now regret it?

If you claimed within the last 12 months, you can withdraw your claim and repay what you received. This restarts your benefit and allows you to claim again at a later age for a higher amount. After 12 months, you cannot withdraw, but you can still delay claiming again to increase your future benefit.

How do I know if I will live long enough to benefit from waiting?

There is no way to know for certain, but you can consider your health, family history, and current life expectancy. The Social Security Administration's website has a life expectancy calculator. Generally, if you expect to live past 80, waiting until 70 tends to result in more total lifetime benefits, but this varies by individual.