The age you can start Social Security depends on when you were born
You can start collecting Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62, but the amount you receive each month depends on your birth year and when you claim. If you were born in 1943 or later, your full retirement age — the age at which you receive your complete benefit — ranges from 66 to 67. You can wait until age 70 to claim, which increases your monthly payment. The longer you wait, the larger your check becomes.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses your birth year to calculate both your full retirement age and how much your benefit grows if you delay. This is not a choice you make once — you decide when to claim, and that decision affects how much you receive for the rest of your life.
Key Takeaways
- You can claim Social Security as early as age 62, but your monthly payment will be permanently reduced compared to waiting until your full retirement age.
- Your full retirement age is between 66 and 67 depending on your birth year, and this is when you receive your complete calculated benefit.
- Waiting until age 70 increases your monthly payment by roughly 8 percent per year you delay past your full retirement age.
- The SSA calculates your benefit based on your 35 highest-earning years, so your work history directly determines how much you receive.
- You can view your estimated benefits and full retirement age on your Social Security account at ssa.gov.
Full retirement age by birth year
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. For those born between 1955 and 1960, it increases by two months for each birth year. If you were born in 1960 or later, your full retirement age is 67.
Your full retirement age matters because it is the baseline for calculating your benefit. Claiming before this age reduces your payment; claiming after increases it. The reduction or increase is permanent — it applies to every check you receive for the rest of your life.
| Birth Year | Full Retirement Age |
|---|---|
| 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 |
How much your benefit changes if you claim early
Claiming at 62 instead of your full retirement age reduces your monthly payment by roughly 25 to 30 percent, depending on your birth year. The reduction is permanent. If your full retirement age benefit would be $1,500 per month, claiming at 62 might give you around $1,050 to $1,125 per month for life.
The trade-off is that you receive payments for more years. Someone who claims at 62 and lives to 80 will have received more total money than someone who waited until 67 and lived to the same age. But if you live past 80, the person who waited will receive more total money over their lifetime. There is no single "right" answer — it depends on your health, family history, and financial needs.
How much your benefit increases if you delay past full retirement age
For every year you delay claiming past your full retirement age, your benefit grows by roughly 8 percent per year until age 70. After 70, your benefit no longer increases. If your full retirement age benefit is $1,500 per month and you wait until 70, you might receive around $1,980 per month.
Delaying is a long-term bet. You receive fewer total checks, but each check is larger. The SSA publishes break-even calculators and estimates on its website so you can see how different claiming ages affect your lifetime benefits based on your specific situation.
How your work history affects your benefit amount
The SSA calculates your benefit using your 35 highest-earning years of work. If you worked fewer than 35 years, the SSA counts the missing years as zero, which lowers your average. You need at least 10 years of work (40 work credits) to be may have access to to retirement benefits at all.
Your benefit is not based on how much you paid into Social Security — it is based on how much you earned while working. Higher lifetime earnings mean a higher benefit. Part-time work, gaps in employment, and years with low income all affect your final amount.
What happens if you claim before your full retirement age and still work
If you claim Social Security before your full retirement age and continue working, the SSA reduces your benefit by $1 for every $2 you earn above an annual limit. The limit changes each year. In the year you reach your full retirement age, the reduction is $1 for every $3 earned above a higher limit, but only for earnings before the month you reach full retirement age.
Once you reach your full retirement age, you can earn any amount without your benefit being reduced. This rule only applies to earned income from work — it does not affect pensions, investment income, or rental income.
How to find your full retirement age and estimated benefit
The fastest way to learn your full retirement age and see an estimate of your benefit is to create an account at ssa.gov. You can sign in with your Social Security number and view your earnings record, your full retirement age, and estimates for claiming at different ages. The SSA updates this information annually.
You can also call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 to speak with a representative, though wait times are often long. If you are within a few years of claiming, the SSA recommends creating an online account first so you have your information ready before you call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my mind after I start collecting Social Security?
You can withdraw your claim within 12 months of starting to collect and repay what you received, which resets your benefit to a higher amount if you claim again later. After 12 months, you cannot withdraw. You can request a one-time benefit increase at your full retirement age, but this option is limited and has specific rules.
What if I was born outside the United States?
You may still be may have access to to Social Security if you worked in the U.S. for at least 10 years and paid into the system. Some countries have agreements with the SSA that affect your benefit. Contact the SSA directly to discuss your specific situation, as rules vary by country.
Does my spouse's work history affect my benefit?
No. Your benefit is based only on your own earnings record. However, you may be may have access to to a spousal benefit based on your spouse's work history if you are married, divorced, or widowed. Spousal benefits have their own age requirements and reduction rules.
What if I have not worked 35 years?
The SSA counts any years you did not work as zero when calculating your average earnings. This lowers your benefit. However, you still become may have access to to retirement benefits if you have at least 10 years of work (40 credits). Working additional years can replace low-earning years and increase your benefit.
Can I collect Social Security and a pension at the same time?
Yes, you can collect both. However, if your pension is from work where you did not pay Social Security taxes, the SSA may reduce your Social Security benefit under rules called the Government Pension Offset or Windfall Elimination Provision. These rules are complex and depend on your specific situation.