The Earliest Age You Can Claim Social Security

You can claim Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62, but your monthly payment will be permanently reduced. The reduction is roughly 30 percent if you claim at 62 versus waiting until your full retirement age — the age at which Social Security considers you may be able to access for your full benefit amount. Full retirement age ranges from 66 to 67 depending on your birth year.

If you were born between 1943 and 1954, your full retirement age is 66. If you were born in 1960 or later, it is 67. Birth years in between have full retirement ages that fall somewhere in that range, typically increasing by a few months per year. You can find your exact full retirement age on the Social Security Administration website or by calling 1-800-772-1213.

Claiming at 62 means you receive checks sooner, but you receive fewer total dollars over your lifetime unless you die before your mid-80s. The math depends on your life expectancy and your personal situation — there is no single "right" age for everyone.

Key Takeaways

  • You can claim Social Security as early as age 62, but your monthly benefit will be reduced by roughly 30 percent compared to waiting until full retirement age.
  • Full retirement age is 66 or 67 depending on your birth year, and you receive your full benefit amount if you claim then.
  • Waiting until age 70 increases your monthly benefit by about 8 percent per year beyond full retirement age, up to a maximum increase of 24 percent.
  • You must have worked and paid Social Security taxes for at least 10 years (40 quarters) to be may have access to to your own retirement benefit.
  • You can claim spousal or survivor benefits at different ages than your own retirement benefit, with their own reduction rules.

Delaying Your Claim Past Full Retirement Age

If you wait past your full retirement age to claim, your monthly benefit increases by roughly 8 percent per year. This increase continues until age 70, at which point it stops. Waiting from full retirement age (66 or 67) to age 70 means your monthly check will be about 24 to 32 percent larger than your full retirement age amount.

This delayed retirement credit is permanent — it applies to every check you receive for the rest of your life. For people in good health with family history of longevity, waiting until 70 often results in more total lifetime benefits than claiming earlier, even though you receive fewer checks overall.

You cannot earn delayed retirement credits past age 70. If you have not claimed by then, you should do so, because waiting longer does not increase your benefit further.

Work Requirements and Earnings History

To receive Social Security retirement benefits on your own record, you must have worked and paid Social Security taxes for at least 10 years, which equals 40 quarters of coverage. A quarter is roughly three months; you can earn up to four quarters per year. If you worked fewer than 10 years, you are not may have access to to your own retirement benefit, though you may be may have access to to a spousal or survivor benefit if you meet other conditions.

Your benefit amount is based on your highest 35 years of earnings. If you worked fewer than 35 years, Social Security counts zero-earning years in the calculation, which lowers your benefit. Working additional years after age 60 can replace lower-earning years from earlier in your career and increase your benefit amount.

If you claim before full retirement age and continue to work, Social Security will reduce your benefit by $1 for every $2 you earn above an annual limit. In the year you reach full retirement age, the reduction is $1 for every $3 earned, but only for earnings before the month you reach full retirement age. Once you reach full retirement age, there is no earnings limit — you can work and earn as much as you want without any reduction to your benefit.

Spousal and Survivor Benefits at Different Ages

If you are married, divorced (after at least 10 years of marriage), or widowed, you may be may have access to to a benefit based on your spouse's or ex-spouse's earnings record. These benefits have their own age rules and reduction amounts, separate from your own retirement benefit.

A spouse can claim a spousal benefit as early as age 62, but the reduction is steeper than for retirement benefits — roughly 32 to 35 percent depending on full retirement age. A surviving spouse can claim survivor benefits as early as age 60 (or age 50 if disabled), with different reduction amounts. A surviving child under age 19 (or 19 if still in high school) can claim at any age.

You cannot claim a spousal or survivor benefit before age 62. If you are may be able to access for both your own retirement benefit and a spousal or survivor benefit, Social Security will pay your own benefit first, then add a partial spousal or survivor amount if you are may have access to to one.

How to Claim and What Documents You Need

You can claim Social Security online through the Social Security Administration website, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. Online claims typically take the least time and can be completed from home. Phone and in-person claims may require you to provide documents on the spot or mail them in later.

You will need proof of age (birth certificate), proof of citizenship or legal residency (passport or green card), and proof of earnings history (W-2 forms or tax returns). If you are claiming a spousal or survivor benefit, you will also need proof of the relationship — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or death certificate. Social Security will tell you which specific documents they need based on your situation.

Processing typically takes two to four weeks if you claim online and have all documents ready. Phone and in-person claims may take longer. You can check the status of your claim on the Social Security website or by calling the same number.

Claiming Before You Reach Full Retirement Age

If you claim at 62 or 63, you will receive a reduced benefit for the rest of your life — the reduction does not go away when you reach full retirement age. This is a permanent choice. However, there is a limited window to change your mind: if you claim and then change your decision within 12 months, you can withdraw your claim, repay all benefits received, and claim again later at a higher amount. This option is available only once.

If you claim before full retirement age and continue to work, your benefit will be reduced based on your earnings, as described above. This earnings test applies only until you reach full retirement age. Many people claim at 62 while still working, receive a reduced benefit, and then see that benefit increase slightly when they reach full retirement age (because the earnings test no longer applies), though it remains lower than if they had waited.

Claiming early makes sense if you need the money now, expect to live a shorter-than-average lifespan, or have other sources of income that will support you later. It does not make sense if you are in good health, have family history of longevity, or plan to work past 62.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim Social Security while I am still working?

Yes, but if you claim before full retirement age, your benefit will be reduced by $1 for every $2 you earn above the annual limit (roughly $23,400 in 2024, though this changes yearly). Once you reach full retirement age, you can work and earn as much as you want with no reduction. The earnings test applies only to wages and self-employment income, not to pensions, investments, or other income.

What happens if I claim at 62 and then change my mind?

You can withdraw your claim within 12 months of claiming, repay all benefits you received, and claim again later. This resets your claim and allows you to receive a higher benefit amount. You can do this only once in your lifetime. After 12 months, you cannot withdraw your claim, and the reduction for early claiming remains permanent.

How much will my benefit be if I claim at 62 versus 70?

You can create a "my Social Security" account on the Social Security Administration website to see your personalized benefit estimates at different claiming ages. The estimates show your full retirement age benefit and what you would receive if you claimed at 62, 70, or any age in between. These estimates are based on your actual earnings record and are updated annually.

Can I claim on my ex-spouse's record if we have been divorced for less than 10 years?

No. To claim a spousal or ex-spousal benefit, you must have been married for at least 10 years. If your marriage lasted fewer than 10 years, you can claim only on your own earnings record (if you have 40 quarters of coverage). The 10-year requirement applies to each marriage separately — if you were married twice, each marriage must have lasted 10 years to claim on that ex-spouse's record.

What if I was born outside the United States?

You can claim Social Security if you are a U.S. citizen or have a valid green card and meet the work requirements. If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you may still be may have access to to benefits under a totalization agreement between the United States and your country of citizenship. Contact Social Security directly to discuss your specific situation, as the rules vary by country.