You can start Social Security at age 62, but the amount you receive depends on when you claim

Social Security payments begin at different ages depending on when you were born and when you choose to start collecting. The earliest you can claim is 62. However, if you wait longer — up to age 70 — your monthly payment will be larger. The Social Security Administration (SSA) calls your "full retirement age" the point at which you receive your standard benefit amount. For people born in 1943 or later, that age ranges from 66 to 67, depending on your birth year.

The choice between claiming early, at full retirement age, or delaying is permanent and affects how much you receive for the rest of your life. Most people need to understand these three ages and what each one means for their monthly check.

Key Takeaways

  • You can claim Social Security as early as age 62, but your monthly payment will be permanently reduced — typically by 25 to 30 percent compared to waiting until full retirement age.
  • Your full retirement age (when you get your standard benefit) is 66 or 67 depending on your birth year, and the SSA has a chart showing the exact age for your year of birth.
  • If you delay claiming past your full retirement age until age 70, your monthly payment increases by about 8 percent for each year you wait.
  • You must have worked and paid Social Security taxes for at least 10 years (40 quarters) to receive benefits based on your own work record.
  • Spousal and survivor benefits have their own age rules and may be available to you even if you have not worked enough quarters yourself.

Age 62: The earliest claiming age and the permanent reduction

At 62, you can file for Social Security retirement benefits. This is the earliest age the SSA allows. However, claiming at 62 means your monthly payment is reduced for life. The reduction is roughly 25 to 30 percent lower than what you would receive at your full retirement age, depending on your birth year. This reduction never goes away — even after you reach full retirement age, your payment stays at the reduced amount.

People often claim at 62 because they need the money now, have health concerns, or want to receive benefits while they can still enjoy them. The trade-off is a smaller check every month for potentially decades. If you live into your 80s or 90s, the total amount you receive over your lifetime may be less than if you had waited.

Full retirement age: Your standard benefit amount

Your full retirement age is when the SSA considers you old enough to receive your "primary insurance amount" — the standard benefit you earned through your work record. This age is not 65 for most people today. For anyone born in 1943 or later, full retirement age is between 66 and 67.

The exact age depends on your birth year. People born in 1943 to 1954 have a full retirement age of 66. For those born in 1955, it is 66 and 2 months. The age increases by 2 months for each birth year until it reaches 67 for people born in 1960 or later. The SSA publishes a detailed chart on its website showing the exact full retirement age for every birth year. You can also call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 to ask.

If you claim at your full retirement age, you receive your standard benefit with no reduction. This is the middle ground between claiming early at a lower amount and delaying for a higher amount.

Age 70: The maximum benefit through delayed claiming

If you wait to claim Social Security until age 70, your monthly payment increases. For each year you delay past your full retirement age, your benefit grows by roughly 8 percent per year. This increase stops at age 70 — there is no additional benefit for waiting past 70.

Delayed claiming makes sense if you are in good health, expect to live a long time, or do not need the money yet. Over a lifetime, someone who waits until 70 may receive more total benefits than someone who claimed at 62, even though they collected for fewer years. However, if you have serious health concerns or a family history of shorter lifespans, claiming earlier may result in more total money received.

Work history requirements: The 10-year rule

To receive Social Security retirement benefits based on your own work record, you must have worked and paid Social Security taxes for at least 10 years. The SSA measures this in "quarters of coverage." You earn one quarter for each three-month period in which you earned at least a certain amount (in 2024, that minimum is $1,705 per quarter, though this amount changes yearly). You can earn up to four quarters per year, so 10 years of work typically means 40 quarters.

The work does not have to be continuous or recent. If you worked 10 years at any point in your life and paid Social Security taxes, you have met this requirement. The SSA keeps a record of your earnings history. You can view your record online through your personal my Social Security account or request a paper statement by mail.

Spousal and survivor benefits: Different age rules

If you are married or were previously married, you may be able to receive benefits based on your spouse's work record, even if you have not worked 10 years yourself. Spousal benefits have their own age rules. You can claim a reduced spousal benefit as early as age 62, or a full spousal benefit at your full retirement age (which is typically 50 percent of what your spouse receives at their full retirement age).

Survivor benefits — payments to your children or surviving spouse if you die — also have age thresholds. Children can receive benefits until age 19 (or 23 if they are full-time students). A surviving spouse can claim reduced benefits at 60 or full benefits at full retirement age. These rules are separate from retirement benefit ages and depend on your death, not on when you claim.

How to find your full retirement age and check your work record

The SSA provides tools to find your exact full retirement age and review your earnings record. The fastest way is to create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov. You can log in with your Social Security number and see your estimated benefits at different claiming ages (62, full retirement age, and 70), your earnings history, and how many quarters you have earned.

If you do not want to create an online account, you can call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time). A representative can tell you your full retirement age and discuss your options. You can also visit a local Social Security office in person, though wait times can be long.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my mind after I start collecting Social Security?

You can withdraw your application within 12 months of claiming and repay what you received, which resets your claim. After 12 months, you cannot withdraw. However, once you reach full retirement age, you can suspend your benefits to let them grow until age 70, though this option is limited for people born after 1954.

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

If you claim before full retirement age and earn above a certain amount (in 2024, $23,400 per year), the SSA reduces your benefits by $1 for every $2 you earn above that limit. Once you reach full retirement age, there is no earnings limit — you can work and receive your full benefit.

Do I have to claim Social Security at any particular age?

No. You can wait as long as you want, up to age 70. There is no requirement to claim at any age. However, once you turn 70, there is no benefit to waiting longer, so most people claim by then.

How do I know if I have worked 10 years for Social Security?

Log into your my Social Security account to see your earnings record and quarter count. The SSA shows how many quarters you have earned and how many you need. You can also call 1-800-772-1213 to ask a representative.

Can I collect Social Security if I was not born in the United States?

Yes, if you have a valid Social Security number and have worked 10 years in jobs covered by Social Security. Non-citizens who are lawfully present can receive benefits. Citizenship is not required, but you must meet the work history and age requirements.