The Basic Age and Work History Requirements

You can start collecting Social Security retirement benefits at age 62, but the amount you receive depends on when you were born and how long you worked. The Social Security Administration (SSA) requires you to have earned at least 40 work credits — roughly 10 years of paid work — to be may be able to access for retirement benefits. If you were born in 1960 or later, your full retirement age (when you receive 100 percent of your benefit) is 67. If you were born before 1960, your full retirement age is earlier.

Work credits are earned through payroll taxes. You can earn up to four credits per year, and the dollar amount needed per credit changes annually. The SSA tracks your earnings record automatically if you have a Social Security number and your employer reports your wages correctly. You can check your record anytime through your personal my Social Security account at ssa.gov.

If you claim before your full retirement age, your monthly payment will be permanently reduced. If you delay claiming past your full retirement age, your payment increases by roughly 8 percent per year until age 70. This is the only may provide increase you will receive from Social Security, and it applies for the rest of your life.

Key Takeaways

  • You need 40 work credits (about 10 years of paid employment) to receive Social Security retirement benefits, and credits are tracked automatically by the SSA.
  • You can claim at 62, but your monthly payment will be permanently lower than if you wait until your full retirement age, which depends on your birth year.
  • Delaying your claim past full retirement age increases your monthly payment by about 8 percent per year until you turn 70.
  • Your earnings record and estimated benefit amount are available in your my Social Security account, which you can create for free at ssa.gov.

How Work Credits Are Earned and Counted

A work credit is earned when you pay Social Security taxes on your wages or self-employment income. In 2024, you earn one credit for every $1,730 of earnings, up to a maximum of four credits per year. This means you need $6,920 in earnings during a calendar year to earn the maximum four credits. The dollar amount changes each year based on national wage trends, so the threshold will be different in future years.

Self-employed people earn credits the same way as wage earners — through Social Security taxes on net self-employment income. If you work part-time or have irregular income, credits still accumulate year by year. You do not need to earn credits in consecutive years; the SSA straightforward counts your total credits over your lifetime. However, you do need at least 40 credits total to be may be able to access for any retirement benefit.

If you have worked in another country or for a railroad, your credits may be counted differently. The SSA has agreements with some countries that allow work done there to count toward your U.S. Social Security record. Railroad employees have their own benefit system, though some railroad work may count toward Social Security under certain conditions.

Reduced Benefits If You Claim Before Full Retirement Age

Claiming at 62 instead of waiting until your full retirement age results in a permanent reduction to your monthly benefit. The reduction is roughly 30 percent if your full retirement age is 67, and the percentage varies slightly depending on your birth year. This reduced amount is what you will receive every month for the rest of your life — the reduction never goes away, even after you reach full retirement age.

The reduction applies even if you continue working and earning income. If you claim before full retirement age and earn more than a certain amount (in 2024, $23,400 per year), the SSA will withhold $1 from your benefit for every $2 you earn above that limit. Once you reach full retirement age, this earnings limit no longer applies, and you can earn any amount without affecting your benefit.

Some people claim early because they need the money now, while others do so because of health concerns or family history. There is no single "right" age to claim — it depends on your personal situation, health, and financial needs. The SSA provides a retirement estimator tool on its website that shows how different claiming ages would affect your monthly payment.

Increased Benefits If You Delay Past Full Retirement Age

For every year you delay claiming past your full retirement age, your monthly benefit increases by approximately 8 percent per year. This increase continues until age 70, after which there is no further increase. If your full retirement age is 67 and you wait until 70, your benefit would be roughly 24 percent higher than at full retirement age. This increase is permanent and applies to your benefit for life.

Delayed retirement credits are automatic — you do not need to do anything special to earn them. The SSA will calculate them when you eventually claim. However, you must not claim benefits before age 70 to receive the full increase. If you claim at 68, you will receive the increase for only two years of delay, not three.

Delaying is most beneficial if you expect to live a long life or if you have other income sources that allow you to wait. The "break-even" age — when the total benefits from delaying catch up to the total from claiming early — is typically in the early 80s, depending on your specific situation. After that point, waiting to claim will have resulted in a higher lifetime benefit total.

Special Rules for Spouses and Divorced People

If you are married, you may be able to receive benefits based on your spouse's work record, even if you have not worked enough to earn 40 credits yourself. A spouse can receive up to 50 percent of the worker's full retirement age benefit, but only if the spouse is at least 62 years old or caring for a child under 16. The amount is reduced if claimed before the spouse's full retirement age.

If you are divorced, you may be able to receive benefits on your ex-spouse's record if the marriage lasted at least 10 years, you are at least 62, and you are not currently married. You do not need your ex-spouse's permission to claim on their record. If your ex-spouse has not yet claimed benefits, you can still claim on their record once you reach full retirement age, as long as you have been divorced for at least two years.

Survivor benefits are also available to family members of a worker who has died. A widow or widower can receive benefits as early as age 60 (or age 50 if disabled), and children under 19 (or 19 if still in high school) can receive benefits based on a deceased parent's record. These benefits do not reduce the worker's benefit and are calculated separately.

Disability and Survivor Benefits Before Retirement Age

You do not have to wait until 62 to receive Social Security benefits. If you have a medical condition that prevents you from working and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death, you may be able to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). The work credit requirement for disability is lower than for retirement — you typically need 20 credits earned in the last 10 years, though the exact requirement depends on your age.

SSDI is based on your own work record, not your spouse's. The SSA has a strict definition of disability: your condition must prevent you from doing any substantial work, not just your previous job. The process process is lengthy and many initial claims are denied. If you are denied, you have the right to appeal, and many people are approved on appeal or after reapplying.

Survivor benefits are paid to your family members if you die, regardless of your age. Your spouse, ex-spouse, children, and dependent parents may all be may be able to access. These benefits are based on your work record and do not require you to have reached retirement age. The total amount paid to your family is limited to a family maximum, which is typically 150 to 180 percent of your full retirement age benefit.

How to Check Your Work Record and Estimate Your Benefit

The fastest way to see your work history and estimated benefit amount is to create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov. You will need your Social Security number, email address, and a way to verify your identity (usually a phone number or address on file). Once logged in, you can view your earnings record, see how many credits you have earned, and get an estimate of your benefit at different claiming ages.

Your earnings record shows your reported wages year by year. If you see an error — a year where you worked but no wages are shown, or wages that seem too low — you should contact the SSA to correct it. You have a limited time to correct errors, so it is worth checking your record every few years. If you find an error, bring your tax return or W-2 from that year as proof.

The benefit estimate provided by the SSA is based on your current earnings record and assumes you will continue working until your full retirement age. If you plan to retire earlier or later, or if your earnings are expected to change significantly, the estimate may not be accurate. The SSA also provides a detailed benefit statement by mail if you prefer not to create an online account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work and still collect Social Security before my full retirement age?

Yes, but if you earn more than the annual limit (in 2024, $23,400), the SSA will reduce your benefit by $1 for every $2 you earn above that amount. Once you reach your full retirement age, you can earn any amount without affecting your benefit. This earnings test applies only to benefits you claim before full retirement age.

What happens if I do not have 40 work credits?

You will not be able to receive Social Security retirement benefits on your own record. However, you may be able to receive benefits as a spouse or ex-spouse if you meet the other requirements, such as being married for at least 10 years (for ex-spouses) or being at least 62. Contact the SSA to explore what options may be available to you.

If I claim at 62, can I change my mind later and get a higher benefit?

You can withdraw your claim within 12 months of starting benefits and repay what you received, which resets your record as if you never claimed. After 12 months, you cannot withdraw. However, once you reach full retirement age, you can suspend your benefits to let them grow, though this is less common now due to rule changes.

How do I know if my earnings record is correct?

Log into your my Social Security account and review your earnings history year by year. If you see missing or incorrect wages, contact the SSA with proof such as a tax return or W-2. Errors should be corrected as soon as possible, as there are time limits for making corrections based on how long ago the earnings were reported.

Does my benefit amount change after I start collecting?

Your benefit is adjusted annually for cost-of-living increases (COLA), which are announced each October and take effect in January. These adjustments are automatic and do not require you to do anything. Your benefit may also change if you continue working and earn higher wages, though this is less common for people already collecting.