Your may be able to access Depends on Your Birth Year and Work History

You become may be able to access for Social Security retirement benefits at an age that depends on when you were born. If you were born in 1943 or later, your full retirement age — the age at which you receive your complete monthly benefit — ranges from 66 to 67. You can claim as early as 62, but your monthly payment will be permanently reduced. You can also wait until 70 to claim, which increases your monthly benefit by about 8 percent for each year you delay past your full retirement age.

To be may be able to access at any age, you must have worked and paid Social Security taxes for at least 10 years (40 quarters). If you have not yet reached that threshold, you can check your work record by creating an account on ssa.gov. The Social Security Administration (SSA) keeps a record of your earnings history, and you can see how many quarters you have accumulated.

Key Takeaways

  • Your full retirement age is between 66 and 67 depending on your birth year, but you can claim as early as 62 with a reduced benefit.
  • You need at least 10 years of work history paying Social Security taxes to be may be able to access for any retirement benefit.
  • Waiting until 70 to claim increases your monthly benefit by roughly 8 percent per year compared to claiming at your full retirement age.
  • You can check your work record and estimated benefits on ssa.gov without creating an account, or create a my Social Security account for more detail.
  • If you claim before your full retirement age and continue working, your benefit may be reduced if your earnings exceed a yearly limit.

How Your Birth Year Determines Full Retirement Age

The SSA raised the full retirement age gradually starting in 2000. If you were born between 1943 and 1954, your full retirement age is 66. If you were born between 1955 and 1960, it increases by two months for each year of birth, ranging from 66 and 2 months to 67. If you were born in 1960 or later, your full retirement age is 67.

This matters because claiming before your full retirement age means a permanent reduction to your monthly benefit. The reduction is steeper the earlier you claim. If your full retirement age is 67 and you claim at 62, your benefit is roughly 30 percent lower than it would be at 67. If you claim at 66, it is roughly 13 percent lower.

What Happens If You Claim Early and Keep Working

If you claim Social Security before your full retirement age and continue to work, the SSA will reduce your benefit if your earnings exceed a yearly limit. For 2024, that limit is $23,400. For every $2 you earn above that amount, your benefit is reduced by $1. This 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, and you can work and earn as much as you want without any reduction to your benefit. The SSA will also recalculate your benefit at that point to account for the months your payment was reduced, which can increase your monthly amount going forward.

How to Check Your Work Record and Estimated Benefits

You can view your Social Security work record and get an estimate of your future benefits without creating an account. Visit ssa.gov and look for the "Benefit Estimates" section. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and mother's maiden name. The estimate tool shows you what your benefit would be if you claimed at 62, at your full retirement age, and at 70.

For a more detailed view of your earnings history and to track changes over time, create a my Social Security account on ssa.gov. This account lets you see year-by-year what you earned and what was reported to Social Security. If you spot an error — a year where you worked but no earnings appear — you can contact the SSA to correct it. Errors in your record can lower your benefit, so it is worth checking before you claim.

Claiming at 62 Versus Waiting Until Full Retirement Age or 70

The choice of when to claim is a trade-off between receiving benefits sooner at a lower monthly amount or waiting longer for a higher monthly amount. If you claim at 62 and your full retirement age is 67, you will receive about 70 percent of your full benefit each month. If you wait until 67, you receive 100 percent. If you wait until 70, you receive about 124 percent.

The break-even point — the age at which the total amount you have received becomes equal whether you claimed early or waited — is typically in your early 80s. If you expect to live well into your 80s or 90s, waiting to claim usually results in a larger total payout over your lifetime. If you have health concerns or family history suggesting a shorter lifespan, claiming earlier may make sense. There is no single right answer; it depends on your circumstances, health, and financial needs.

Special Rules for Spouses and Divorced Individuals

If you are married, you may be may be able to access for a benefit based on your spouse's work record, even if you have not worked 10 years yourself. The rules are complex and have changed in recent years. Generally, if you were born before January 2, 1954, you may be able to claim a spousal benefit while your own benefit grows. If you were born on or after that date, you can claim a spousal benefit only after you have claimed your own retirement benefit.

If you are divorced, you may be may be able to access for a benefit based on an ex-spouse's record if the marriage lasted at least 10 years and you are at least 62. You do not need your ex-spouse's permission to claim, and claiming on their record does not reduce their benefit. The SSA website has a detailed guide to divorced beneficiary rules, or you can call 1-800-772-1213 to speak with a representative.

What to Do When You Are Ready to Claim

You can claim Social Security online through your my Social Security account, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. Online claiming is usually the fastest option and takes about 15 minutes. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and direct deposit information so the SSA can send your benefit to your bank account.

The SSA recommends claiming about three months before the month you want your benefit to start. Processing typically takes one to two weeks, though it can take longer during busy periods. Once your claim is processed, you will receive a notice in the mail confirming your benefit amount and your first payment date. Your benefit will be deposited into your bank account on the same day each month, usually the second, third, or fourth Wednesday depending on your birth date.

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 paying Social Security taxes to claim a retirement benefit on your own record. However, you may be may be able to access for a benefit based on a spouse's or ex-spouse's work record if you meet other requirements, such as being at least 62 and married for at least 10 years (for ex-spouses).

What if I worked in another country?

Social Security credits earned in most countries count toward your may be able to access if you worked there legally. The SSA has agreements with many countries to count their work credits. Contact the SSA or visit ssa.gov to find out whether your work in a specific country counts toward your 10-year requirement.

Does my benefit amount change after I start claiming?

Your benefit is adjusted each year for cost-of-living increases, which the SSA announces in October. Your benefit amount itself does not change unless you report a major life event, such as a return to work or a change in your living situation. If you continue working after claiming, your benefit may be recalculated at your full retirement age to account for your recent earnings.

What happens if I delay claiming past 70?

Your benefit stops increasing at 70. There is no financial advantage to waiting past 70 to claim. However, some people delay for other reasons, such as continuing to work or not needing the income yet. You can claim at any point from 62 onward; there is no upper age limit.

Can I change my mind after I claim?

If you claimed within the last 12 months, you can withdraw your claim and repay what you received, which restarts your benefit growth. After 12 months, you cannot withdraw, but you can suspend your benefit at your full retirement age and let it grow until 70. The rules for suspension are strict, so contact the SSA before making this choice.