What "Social Security Age" actually means
Social Security age refers to three separate ages that determine when you can claim benefits and how much you receive. The first is the age you become may be able to access to claim — currently 62 for retirement benefits. The second is your full retirement age — the age at which Social Security calculates your benefit as 100 percent of what you earned. The third is age 70, when your benefit stops growing and you receive the maximum amount available to you.
These ages are not the same for everyone. Your full retirement age depends on the year you were born. Someone born in 1943 has a full retirement age of 66. Someone born in 1960 or later has a full retirement age of 67. The years in between follow a schedule Social Security publishes.
The age you choose to claim changes your monthly payment for life. Claiming at 62 gives you a smaller check every month. Waiting until 70 gives you a larger check every month. There is no "right" age — the choice depends on your health, how long you expect to live, and whether you need the money now.
Key Takeaways
- You can claim Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62, but your monthly payment will be permanently reduced.
- Your full retirement age — when you receive your full benefit amount — is between 66 and 67 depending on your birth year.
- Waiting until age 70 increases your monthly payment by about 8 percent for each year you delay past your full retirement age.
- Social Security sends you a statement at age 60 showing your estimated benefit at ages 62, full retirement age, and 70.
How your birth year determines your full retirement age
Social Security raised the full retirement age gradually starting in 2000. If you were born before 1943, your full retirement age is 65. If you were born between 1943 and 1954, your full retirement age is 66. If you were born between 1955 and 1959, your full retirement age is between 66 and 67 — the exact age depends on your birth month and year.
If you were born in 1960 or later, your full retirement age is 67. Social Security does not plan to raise it further, though Congress could change this law at any time.
| Birth Year | Full Retirement Age |
|---|---|
| 1943 or earlier | 65 |
| 1943–1954 | 66 |
| 1955 | 66 and 2 months |
| 1956 | 66 and 4 months |
| 1957 | 66 and 6 months |
| 1958 | 66 and 8 months |
| 1959 | 66 and 10 months |
| 1960 or later | 67 |
You can look up your exact full retirement age on the Social Security website or by calling 1-800-772-1213. Your Social Security statement, mailed to you at age 60, also shows this age.
What happens if you claim before your full retirement age
If you claim at 62, your monthly benefit is reduced by about 30 percent compared to what you would receive at your full retirement age. If your full retirement age is 67 and you claim at 62, you lose roughly 30 percent of your benefit permanently. This reduction applies to every check you receive for the rest of your life, even after you reach your full retirement age.
The reduction is smaller if you claim closer to your full retirement age. If you claim one year early, you lose about 6 to 7 percent. If you claim two months early, you lose about 1 percent. Social Security calculates the exact reduction based on how many months early you claim.
Claiming early makes sense if you need the money now, expect to live a shorter life than average, or have other income sources. It does not make sense if you are in good health, have no immediate need for the money, and expect to live into your 80s or 90s — in that case, waiting pays you more total money over your lifetime.
What happens if you wait past your full retirement age
For each year you delay claiming past your full retirement age, your monthly benefit increases by about 8 percent per year. This increase continues until age 70. If your full retirement age is 67 and you wait until 70, your monthly benefit is about 24 percent higher than it would be at 67.
After age 70, your benefit stops growing. There is no financial reason to delay claiming past 70. You can claim anytime between 62 and 70, and you can change your mind once under certain circumstances — but that option has strict rules and time limits.
Waiting until 70 makes sense if you are in good health, do not need the money immediately, and expect to live well into your 80s or beyond. The longer you live, the more total money you receive by waiting. However, if you have other sources of income or savings, you may not need to wait.
How to find your estimated benefit at different ages
Social Security mails you a statement starting at age 60 that shows your estimated monthly benefit at three ages: 62, your full retirement age, and 70. This statement arrives once per year. If you do not receive one, you can create a my Social Security account online at ssa.gov to view your statement anytime.
To create an account, you need your Social Security number, date of birth, and an email address. You may also need to answer security questions to verify your identity. Once your account is set up, you can see your earnings history, your estimated benefits at different ages, and your projected monthly payment based on your current work record.
The estimates in your statement assume you continue working and earning until the age you claim. If you plan to stop working earlier or later, your actual benefit may be different. Social Security recalculates your benefit based on your actual earnings record when you claim.
How working after you claim affects your benefit
If you claim before your full retirement age and continue working, Social Security reduces your benefit by $1 for every $2 you earn above a certain limit. In 2024, that limit is $23,400 per year. Once you reach your full retirement age, this earnings limit no longer applies, and you receive your full benefit regardless of how much you earn.
This earnings test is temporary. It only applies in the years between when you claim and when you reach your full retirement age. After that, you keep your full benefit no matter what you earn. The reduction also does not affect your benefit permanently — Social Security recalculates your benefit upward once you reach your full retirement age to account for the months your benefit was reduced.
Spousal and survivor benefits also have age requirements
If you are married, you may be able to claim a benefit based on your spouse's work record. The earliest age to claim a spousal benefit is 62, but the amount is reduced if you claim before your full retirement age. A divorced person can also claim on an ex-spouse's record if the marriage lasted at least 10 years and you are at least 62 years old.
Survivors — children and a surviving spouse — can claim benefits based on a deceased worker's record at any age, though the amount varies by age and relationship. A widow or widower can claim a reduced benefit at 60, or a full benefit at their full retirement age. Children can claim until age 19 (or 23 if in school full-time).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my mind after I claim Social Security?
Yes, but only under specific conditions. If you claimed within the last 12 months, you can withdraw your claim and repay all benefits you received. This resets your claim as if you never filed. After 12 months, you cannot withdraw. You can request a one-time "deemed filing" change in limited situations, but this option is rarely available and has strict rules.
What if I keep working after I claim at 62?
Your benefit will be reduced by $1 for every $2 you earn above $23,400 per year (2024 limit). Once you reach your full retirement age, the earnings limit disappears and you receive your full benefit. Social Security recalculates your benefit upward at your full retirement age to account for the reduction.
Does my age when I claim affect my spouse's benefits?
Yes. If your spouse claims a benefit based on your record, the age they claim at affects their payment amount. Your spouse can claim a reduced benefit at 62 or a full benefit at their full retirement age. Your decision to claim early or late does not change when your spouse can claim, but it may affect the maximum amount they can receive.
What happens to my benefits if I move out of the United States?
You can receive Social Security benefits while living in most countries. However, some countries have restrictions. You must notify Social Security before you leave the U.S. for more than 30 days. Contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or visit ssa.gov for a list of countries where benefits are and are not paid.
Can I claim Social Security if I never worked?
No, you need at least 40 work credits to claim retirement benefits on your own record. You may be able to claim a spousal or survivor benefit if you are married, divorced, or a widow or widower, even without your own work history. Contact Social Security to learn what you may be may have access to to receive.