The Earliest Age You Can File

You can file for Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62, but filing at 62 means a permanent reduction in your monthly payment. The reduction is roughly 30 percent less than what you would receive at your full retirement age, which depends on your birth year. If you were born in 1943 or later, your full retirement age is between 66 and 67.

The Social Security Administration does not prevent you from filing at 62 — the decision is yours to make. However, the math matters: if you claim early, you receive fewer dollars each month for the rest of your life. This reduction does not go away when you reach full retirement age.

Some people file at 62 because they need the money now, have health reasons to expect a shorter lifespan, or plan to work part-time and want to test the system. Others wait because they expect to live longer and want the larger monthly amount. There is no single right answer — it depends on your situation.

Key Takeaways

  • You can file for retirement benefits at 62, but your monthly payment will be permanently reduced by roughly 30 percent compared to waiting until full retirement age.
  • Your full retirement age is 66 or 67 depending on your birth year, and filing at that age gives you 100 percent of your benefit amount.
  • If you delay filing past full retirement age, your monthly payment increases by about 8 percent per year until age 70, when increases stop.
  • You must have earned at least 40 work credits (roughly 10 years of work) to be may be able to access for any retirement benefit, whether you file at 62 or later.
  • If you are still working when you file before full retirement age, Social Security will reduce your benefit if your earnings exceed a yearly limit.

Full Retirement Age and Your Benefit Amount

Your full retirement age is the age at which Social Security pays you 100 percent of your benefit amount. For people born between 1943 and 1954, full retirement age is 66. For those born between 1955 and 1960, it rises gradually from 66 and 2 months to 67. Anyone born in 1960 or later has a full retirement age of 67.

If you file at full retirement age, you receive your standard benefit with no reduction. This is the baseline amount Social Security calculates based on your 35 highest-earning years. If you filed at 62, you would get less. If you wait past full retirement age, you get more.

You can find your full retirement age on your Social Security statement, which you can view online at ssa.gov if you create a my Social Security account. The statement also shows an estimate of what you would receive at 62, at full retirement age, and at 70.

Delaying Your Claim Past Full Retirement Age

For every year you delay filing past your full retirement age, your monthly benefit increases by roughly 8 percent per year. This increase continues until age 70, after which it stops. At 70, you receive the maximum benefit Social Security will pay you based on your work record.

Delaying makes 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 trade-off is that you receive nothing until you file. Some people use this time to keep working, build savings, or let their spouse file first on a higher benefit.

You cannot delay past age 70. Once you reach 70, filing does not increase your benefit further, so there is no reason to wait longer. If you have not filed by then, you should contact Social Security to start your benefits.

Work Credits and the 10-Year Rule

To receive any Social Security retirement benefit, you must have earned at least 40 work credits during your lifetime. One work credit is earned for each quarter (three-month period) in which you earn a certain amount of income and pay Social Security taxes. In 2024, you earn one credit for each $1,705 of wages, up to a maximum of four credits per year.

Forty credits typically means about 10 years of work, though the years do not have to be recent or consecutive. If you worked 15 years ago and stopped, those credits still count. If you worked part-time for 20 years, you may have fewer than 40 credits because you did not earn enough in some years.

You can check how many credits you have earned by viewing your Social Security statement online or by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. If you are close to 40 credits but not quite there, you may be able to earn the remaining credits by working a bit longer.

Earnings Limits If You File Before Full Retirement Age

If you file for benefits before reaching your full retirement age and you are still working, Social Security will reduce your benefit if your earnings exceed a yearly limit. In 2024, the limit is $23,400 per year. For every $2 you earn above that limit, Social Security deducts $1 from your benefit.

This earnings limit applies only to wages from work, not to investment income, pensions, or other sources. It also applies only in the year you file and in years before you reach full retirement age. Once you reach full retirement age, you can earn any amount without a reduction.

The reduction is temporary — it affects only the months you are working and earning above the limit. When you reach full retirement age, Social Security recalculates your benefit to account for the months you did not receive a payment, so you do not lose money permanently. However, the math is complex, and it is worth asking Social Security to explain how the recalculation would work in your case before you file.

How to File and What Documents You Need

You can file for Social Security retirement benefits online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. Filing online through my Social Security is usually the fastest route if you are comfortable with a computer.

You will need your Social Security number, birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and a bank account number if you want direct deposit. If you were married more than once, bring divorce papers for any marriage that lasted at least 10 years, because you may be able to claim on an ex-spouse's record even if you have not spoken in decades.

Social Security typically processes your process within two weeks if you file online. If you file by phone or in person, it may take longer. You can check the status of your process through my Social Security or by calling the number above.

Spousal and Survivor Benefits

If you are married, divorced (and the marriage lasted at least 10 years), or widowed, you may be able to receive a benefit based on your spouse's or ex-spouse's work record in addition to or instead of your own. A spouse can file as early as 62, and a widow or widower can file as early as 60 (or 50 if disabled).

The rules for spousal and survivor benefits are different from retirement benefits, and the reduction for filing early is steeper. If you are in this situation, it is worth speaking with Social Security directly or consulting a financial planner who specializes in Social Security, because the timing of your claim can affect your household's total benefit by tens of thousands of dollars.

You can view estimates of spousal and survivor benefits on your Social Security statement if you create a my Social Security account. The statement will show what your spouse or children might receive based on your record.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my mind after I file?

Yes, but only within limits. If you filed within the last 12 months, you can withdraw your process and file again later at a higher age. However, you must repay all benefits you have received. If you filed more than 12 months ago, you cannot withdraw, but you can suspend your benefits at full retirement age and let them grow until 70.

What happens if I file at 62 but then decide to keep working?

Your benefit will be reduced based on how much you earn. If you earn above the yearly limit, Social Security deducts $1 from your benefit for every $2 you earn above the limit. This reduction is temporary and does not affect your benefit after you reach full retirement age.

Do I have to file as soon as I turn 62?

No. You can file at any age between 62 and 70. The longer you wait, the larger your monthly payment will be. Many people wait until full retirement age or later to maximize their lifetime benefit, especially if they are still working or in good health.

What if I was born outside the United States?

You can still receive Social Security retirement benefits if you have 40 work credits and are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. If you are not a citizen or permanent resident, the rules are more complex and depend on your country of origin. Contact Social Security directly to discuss your situation.

Can I file for Social Security if I am self-employed?

Yes. Self-employed income counts toward work credits as long as you pay self-employment tax. You earn one credit for each $1,705 of net self-employment income (in 2024), up to four credits per year, the same as wage earners.