The earliest you can claim Social Security is age 62, but your monthly payment will be permanently reduced

You can begin receiving Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62. However, if you claim before your full retirement age — which ranges from 66 to 67 depending on your birth year — your monthly payment will be reduced by a percentage that stays in place for life. The reduction is roughly 30 percent if you claim at 62 and your full retirement age is 67.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) calculates your benefit based on your 35 highest-earning years. Claiming early means you receive fewer total payments before you die, so the SSA reduces each payment to account for that. This is a permanent reduction, not a temporary one — even if you return to work or change your mind later.

You do not have to claim at 62 just because you can. Many people wait until full retirement age or even until 70, when benefits reach their maximum. The choice depends on your health, finances, and how long you expect to live.

Key Takeaways

  • You can claim Social Security at 62, but your monthly benefit will be permanently reduced compared to waiting until full retirement age.
  • Full retirement age is 66 or 67 depending on your birth year, and claiming at that age gives you your full calculated benefit.
  • Waiting until 70 increases your monthly benefit by roughly 8 percent per year you delay past full retirement age.
  • You must have earned enough work credits (typically 40 credits, or about 10 years of work) to receive any benefit at all.
  • If you claim before full retirement age and continue working, your benefit may be reduced further based on your earnings.

Full Retirement Age and How It Affects Your Payment

Your full retirement age is the age at which you receive your complete calculated benefit with no reduction. This age depends on the year you were born. If you were born in 1943 or later, your full retirement age is somewhere between 66 and 67. The SSA has a chart on its website showing the exact age for your birth year.

Claiming at full retirement age means you get 100 percent of your calculated benefit. This is the middle ground between claiming early at a reduced rate and waiting longer for an increased rate. Many people use full retirement age as a reference point when deciding whether to claim early or delay.

Delaying Benefits Until 70 Increases Your Monthly Payment

If you wait to claim Social Security past your full retirement age, your benefit grows. For each year you delay claiming between full retirement age and 70, your monthly benefit increases by roughly 8 percent per year. This means if your full retirement age is 67 and you wait until 70, your benefit will be about 24 percent higher than it would be at 67.

At 70, your benefit stops growing. There is no advantage to waiting past 70 to claim. The decision to delay depends on whether you can afford to wait, whether you are in good health, and whether you expect to live long enough to recover the payments you skipped by waiting.

Work Credits and the Minimum Requirement

Before you can claim any Social Security benefit, you must have earned enough work credits. You earn one credit for each quarter (three-month period) you earn a certain amount of income — in 2024, that amount is $1,730 per quarter. You can earn a maximum of four credits per year, regardless of how much you earn.

Most people need 40 credits total to receive retirement benefits. Since you can earn four credits per year, this typically means you need about 10 years of work history. The SSA counts credits based on your Social Security earnings record, which is tied to your Social Security number. You can check your record online through your personal account at ssa.gov.

Claiming Early While Still Working

If you claim Social Security before full retirement age and continue working, your benefit will be reduced further based on your earnings. In 2024, the SSA reduces your benefit by $1 for every $2 you earn above a certain limit (that limit changes yearly). This is separate from the permanent reduction you already accepted by claiming early.

Once you reach full retirement age, this earnings limit no longer applies. You can work and earn as much as you want without any reduction to your benefit. This is one reason some people choose to wait until full retirement age to claim if they plan to keep working.

Spousal and Survivor Benefits Have Different Age Rules

If you are married, you may be able to claim a benefit based on your spouse's work record, even if your spouse has not yet claimed. The earliest you can claim a spousal benefit is age 62, but like retirement benefits, claiming early means a permanent reduction. A spouse at full retirement age can receive up to 50 percent of the worker's full benefit.

Survivor benefits — paid to your children or surviving spouse if you die — have their own age rules. Children can receive benefits until age 19 (or 23 if in school full-time), and a surviving spouse can claim at any age if caring for a child under 16. A surviving spouse can also claim a reduced benefit at 60, or a full benefit at full retirement age.

How to Claim and What to Expect

You can claim Social Security online through your account at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. The SSA recommends applying three months before you want your benefits to start. The application process takes time, and there can be delays if the SSA needs to verify information.

Once you submit your application, the SSA will review your work record and calculate your benefit. You will receive a notice showing your monthly payment amount and your start date. Your first payment typically arrives the month after your claim is approved, though the exact timing depends on when you were born and when you applied.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my mind after I claim Social Security?

Yes, but only within limits. If you claimed within the last 12 months, you can withdraw your application and repay what you received. This resets your claim and allows you to claim again later at a higher rate. After 12 months, you cannot withdraw, but you can request a one-time voluntary suspension if you have reached full retirement age, which pauses your benefit and allows it to grow.

What happens to my Social Security if I keep working past 62?

If you do not claim yet, your benefit continues to grow. Your benefit is based on your 35 highest-earning years, so additional work years can replace lower-earning years and increase your calculated benefit. Even if you do not claim, you should create a Social Security account to track your earnings record and see your estimated benefit.

Will my benefit be taxed?

It depends on your total income. If your combined income (adjusted gross income plus half your Social Security benefit) exceeds certain thresholds, up to 85 percent of your benefit may be subject to federal income tax. State taxes vary. The SSA sends a form each year showing how much of your benefit was taxable.

Can I claim if I was not born in the United States?

Yes, if you have a valid Social Security number and have earned enough work credits. Non-citizens who are lawfully present can claim. You will need to provide proof of identity, age, and citizenship or legal residency status. Contact your local Social Security office for specific documents required.

What if I never worked or did not earn enough credits?

If you do not have 40 credits, you cannot receive retirement benefits based on your own work record. However, you may be able to receive a spousal or survivor benefit if you are married or widowed and your spouse or ex-spouse has enough credits. The SSA can explain your options based on your specific situation.