The earliest and latest ages to claim Social Security

You can start taking Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62, but your monthly payment will be permanently smaller than if you wait. You can delay claiming until age 70, and your payment grows larger for each year you wait. The age at which you get your full benefit amount — called your full retirement age — depends on the year you were born and ranges from 66 to 67 for people born in 1943 or later.

The choice between claiming early, at full retirement age, or later is one of the biggest financial decisions you will make. It affects not only your own income but also what your spouse or ex-spouse can receive, and what your family gets if you die. There is no single "right" age — it depends on your health, how long you expect to live, whether you still work, and whether you need the money now.

Key Takeaways

  • You can claim Social Security as early as 62, but your monthly payment will be about 30 percent smaller than your full retirement age amount.
  • Your full retirement age is 66 or 67 depending on your birth year, and waiting until then gives you your standard benefit amount.
  • Delaying past your full retirement age increases your payment by about 8 percent per year, up until age 70.
  • If you claim before your full retirement age and still work, Social Security will reduce your payments if your earnings exceed a yearly limit.
  • Married people and ex-spouses may be able to claim based on your work record, and the age you claim affects what they can receive.

How your birth year determines your full retirement age

Social Security uses a table based on your birth year to set your full retirement age — the age at which you receive your standard benefit amount with no reduction. If you were born between 1943 and 1954, your full retirement age is 66. If you were born between 1955 and 1960, it falls between 66 and 67. If you were born in 1960 or later, your full retirement age is 67.

You can find your exact full retirement age on the Social Security Administration website or by calling 1-800-772-1213. Knowing this number is essential because it is the baseline for calculating what you get if you claim early or delay. It also matters for your spouse's benefits and for the earnings test that applies if you work while claiming.

Claiming at 62: the earliest option and its cost

Age 62 is the earliest you can claim Social Security retirement benefits. If you claim at 62 and your full retirement age is 67, your monthly payment will be about 30 percent lower than your full retirement age amount. The exact reduction depends on how many months early you claim — the further from your full retirement age, the larger the cut.

Claiming early makes sense if you need the money now, expect to live a shorter life than average, or have other reasons to prioritize when ready income. It does not make sense if you are still working and earning above the yearly limit, because Social Security will withhold part of your benefit. For 2024, if you claim before your full retirement age and earn more than $23,400 per year, Social Security reduces your payment by $1 for every $2 you earn above that amount.

Once you claim at 62, you are locked into the reduced rate for life. You cannot change your mind later and get the higher amount you would have received at 67 or 70. This is one reason to think carefully before claiming early.

Waiting until your full retirement age or beyond

If you wait until your full retirement age, you receive your standard benefit amount with no reduction, even if you claimed early in the past and changed your mind. If you delay past your full retirement age, your payment grows by about 8 percent per year until age 70. Someone with a full retirement age of 67 who waits until 70 receives about 24 percent more per month than they would at 67.

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. It also makes sense if you are married, because a higher benefit for you can mean a higher survivor benefit for your spouse if you die. Once you reach age 70, there is no financial advantage to waiting longer — your benefit stops growing.

If you work past your full retirement age, there is no earnings limit. You can earn as much as you want and still receive your full Social Security payment. This is different from claiming before your full retirement age, when the earnings test applies.

What happens if you work while claiming Social Security

If you claim before your full retirement age and continue to work, Social Security will reduce your benefit based on your earnings. The reduction applies only in the year you claim and in years before you reach your full retirement age. Once you reach your full retirement age, the earnings limit no longer applies, no matter how much you earn.

The earnings limit changes each year. For 2024, if you claim before your full retirement age, Social Security withholds $1 in benefits for every $2 you earn above $23,400. In the year you reach your full retirement age, a higher limit applies to earnings before the month you turn that age.

Social Security counts only wages and self-employment income toward the earnings limit. It does not count investment income, pensions, annuities, or other retirement income. If you are unsure whether your income counts, contact Social Security before claiming.

How your claiming age affects your spouse and family

If you are married, your spouse may be able to claim a benefit based on your work record. The age your spouse can claim, and how much they receive, depends partly on the age you claim. If you claim early, your spouse's benefit is also reduced. If you delay, your spouse's benefit can be higher.

If you have an ex-spouse, they may also be able to claim on your record if you were married for at least 10 years and are now divorced. The same rules explore — your claiming age affects what they can receive. Your ex-spouse does not need your permission to claim, and their benefit does not reduce your own.

If you die, your family members — including your spouse, ex-spouse, children, and parents in some cases — may receive survivor benefits. The amount they receive depends on your benefit amount, which is why delaying to increase your own benefit can also increase what your family gets if you die before reaching your 80s.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my mind after I claim Social Security?

If you claimed within the past 12 months, you can withdraw your claim and repay what you received. This resets your claim, and you can claim again later at a higher rate. After 12 months, you cannot withdraw. You can request a one-time "deemed filing" change in limited cases, but this is rare and has strict rules.

What if I was born on January 1st — which year applies to me?

Social Security treats people born on January 1st as if they were born on December 31st of the previous year. So if you were born on January 1, 1954, you are treated as born in 1953 for purposes of determining your full retirement age.

Does my full retirement age change if I delay claiming?

No. Your full retirement age is fixed based on your birth year and does not change. Delaying past your full retirement age increases your benefit, but your full retirement age itself stays the same.

What if I claim Social Security and then go back to work?

If you claimed before your full retirement age, the earnings test applies. Social Security will reduce your benefit if you earn above the yearly limit. Once you reach your full retirement age, you can work and earn as much as you want without any reduction to your benefit.

Can I claim Social Security if I never worked?

No. Social Security retirement benefits are based on your own work record. If you never worked or did not work long enough to earn credits, you may be able to claim as a spouse or ex-spouse of someone who did work, but you cannot claim on your own record.