The earliest you can claim Social Security is age 62, but your monthly payment will be smaller than if you wait

You can begin receiving Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62. However, if you claim at 62, your monthly payment will be permanently reduced — typically 30 percent lower than what you would receive at your full retirement age. The Social Security Administration calls this your Primary Insurance Amount, and the reduction is permanent for the life of your benefit.

Your full retirement age depends on the year you were born. If you were born between 1943 and 1954, your full retirement age is 66. If you were born between 1955 and 1960, it ranges from 66 and 2 months to 66 and 10 months. If you were born in 1960 or later, your full retirement age is 67. You can find your exact full retirement age on your Social Security statement or by using the Social Security Administration's retirement age calculator on their website.

Key Takeaways

  • You can claim Social Security as early as age 62, but your monthly payment will be reduced for life if you do.
  • Your full retirement age — when you receive your full benefit amount — depends on your birth year and ranges from 66 to 67.
  • If you delay claiming past your full retirement age, your monthly payment increases by about 8 percent per year until age 70.
  • You must have earned enough work credits (typically 40 credits, or about 10 years of work) to be may have access to to benefits on your own record.
  • You can claim spousal or survivor benefits at different ages than retirement benefits, with their own reduction rules.

How delayed claiming increases your monthly payment

If you wait to claim Social Security past your full retirement age, your monthly payment grows. For each year you delay between your full retirement age and age 70, your benefit increases by approximately 8 percent per year. This is called delayed retirement credits. If your full retirement age is 67 and you wait until 70, you would receive about 24 percent more per month than you would at 67.

At age 70, your benefit stops growing. There is no financial advantage to waiting past 70 to claim. Many people use age 70 as a natural stopping point for the decision, though some people with health concerns or when ready financial need choose to claim earlier despite the permanent reduction.

Work credits and how many you need

To receive Social Security retirement benefits on your own work record, you must have earned enough work credits. In 2024, you earn one credit for each $1,632 of wages you earn, up to a maximum of four credits per year. Most people need 40 credits total — roughly 10 years of work — to be may have access to to retirement benefits.

You can check how many credits you have earned by creating an account on ssa.gov and viewing your Social Security Statement. This statement also shows your estimated benefit amount at different claiming ages. If you have not earned 40 credits, you may still be may have access to to benefits as a spouse, widow, or widower, which have different credit requirements.

Claiming before your full retirement age and work earnings

If you claim Social Security before your full retirement age and continue to work, your benefits may be reduced based on your earnings. In 2024, Social Security reduces your benefit by $1 for every $2 you earn above $23,400 per year. The year you reach your full retirement age, the reduction changes to $1 for every $3 earned above a higher limit, but only for earnings before the month you reach full retirement age.

Once you reach your full retirement age, you can earn any amount without any reduction to your benefits. This earnings test is temporary — it applies only to people who claim before full retirement age and are still working. If you plan to continue working, this is an important factor in deciding when to claim.

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. These benefits have different earliest claiming ages and reduction amounts than retirement benefits on your own record.

A spouse can claim benefits as early as age 62, but the reduction is steeper than for retirement benefits — about 32 to 35 percent lower than the full spousal benefit amount. A widow or widower can claim as early as age 60 (or age 50 if disabled), but again with a significant permanent reduction. A child of a retired, disabled, or deceased worker can claim at any age if the child is under 19 (or 19 if still in high school). These rules are complex and vary by situation, so it is worth discussing your specific circumstances with a Social Security representative.

How to start the claiming process

You can claim Social Security online through ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. The online process typically takes about 15 minutes. 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.

Social Security recommends claiming about three months before you want your benefits to start. Processing usually takes about two weeks, though it can take longer if you need to provide additional documents. Once approved, your first payment arrives the month after your claim is processed.

What to consider when choosing your claiming age

There is no single "best" age to claim Social Security — it depends on your health, family history, financial situation, and whether you plan to keep working. People who live longer tend to come out ahead by waiting, because the higher monthly payment over many years adds up to more total money. People with serious health conditions or when ready financial need may come out ahead by claiming early, even with the permanent reduction.

A rough break-even point is around age 80 or 81. If you claim at 62 and live to 80, you will have received more total money than if you had waited until 67. If you live past 80, waiting until 67 or 70 usually results in more total lifetime benefits. However, this calculation does not account for inflation, investment returns, or other sources of income, which can change the picture for your specific situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my mind after I claim Social Security?

Yes, but only within limits. If you claimed within the past 12 months, you can withdraw your claim and repay all benefits received. This resets your record as if you never claimed. After 12 months, you cannot withdraw, but you can suspend your benefits at your full retirement age and let them grow until age 70. Suspension stops your payments but increases your future benefit amount.

What happens to my benefits if I keep working after I claim?

If you claim before your full retirement age and earn more than the annual limit ($23,400 in 2024), Social Security reduces your benefits by $1 for every $2 over the limit. Once you reach your full retirement age, there is no reduction no matter how much you earn. Your benefit amount does not increase based on continued work after you start claiming.

Can I claim Social Security if I am still married to my ex-spouse?

Yes. You can claim spousal benefits on an ex-spouse's record if you were married for at least 10 years, are at least 62 years old, and are not currently married. Your ex-spouse does not need to have claimed yet, as long as they are at least 62. Claiming on an ex-spouse's record does not affect their benefits.

What if I was born on January 1st — which year's rules explore to me?

If you were born on January 1st, Social Security considers you born on December 31st of the previous year. This affects which birth year's rules explore to your full retirement age. You can confirm your full retirement age on your Social Security Statement or by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213.

Do I have to claim Social Security at my full retirement age?

No. You can claim anytime between age 62 and 70. There is no requirement to claim at your full retirement age. Many people claim earlier if they need the income, and many delay past full retirement age to receive a larger monthly payment.