The earliest you can claim depends on which type of benefit you're seeking

Social Security has different start dates depending on whether you're claiming retirement, disability, or survivor benefits. For retirement benefits, you can claim as early as age 62, but your monthly payment will be permanently reduced. If you wait until your full retirement age — which ranges from 66 to 67 depending on your birth year — you receive your full benefit amount. Waiting until age 70 increases your monthly payment by about 8 percent for each year you delay past full retirement age.

For disability benefits, there is no minimum age requirement. You can claim at any age if you have a medical condition that prevents substantial work and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. Survivor benefits for family members can begin immediately after a worker's death, with different age rules for spouses, children, and parents depending on their relationship to the deceased worker.

Key Takeaways

  • Retirement benefits can start at age 62, but claiming before full retirement age (66 to 67) reduces your monthly payment permanently.
  • Waiting until age 70 increases your monthly retirement payment by roughly 8 percent per year compared to claiming at full retirement age.
  • Disability benefits have no age minimum — you can claim at any age if you meet the medical and work history requirements.
  • Survivor benefits begin immediately after a worker dies, with different age rules for spouses, children, and parents.
  • You must have earned enough work credits through payroll taxes to claim any type of benefit; the number required varies by benefit type and your age.

Retirement benefits: age 62, full retirement age, or age 70

The month you turn 62 is the earliest month you can claim retirement benefits. However, claiming at 62 means your monthly payment is reduced by roughly 30 percent compared to waiting until full retirement age. This reduction is permanent — it does not increase later even if you continue working or delay spending the money.

Your full retirement age depends on your birth year. If you were born between 1943 and 1954, your full retirement age is 66. If you were born between 1955 and 1960, it ranges from 66 and 2 months to 66 and 10 months. If you were born in 1960 or later, your full retirement age is 67. At full retirement age, you receive 100 percent of your calculated benefit amount with no reduction.

If you delay claiming past full retirement age, your benefit increases by about 8 percent for each year you wait, up to age 70. At age 70, the increase stops, so there is no financial advantage to waiting longer. For someone with a full retirement age of 67, claiming at 70 means a monthly payment roughly 24 percent higher than at 67.

Disability benefits: any age if you meet medical and work requirements

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) has no age requirement. You can claim at 25, 45, or 55 if you have a medical condition that prevents you from doing substantial work. The condition must be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. "Substantial work" means earning more than a set monthly amount, which changes yearly — in 2024 it was $1,550 per month, but this figure varies and you should check the current limit.

To claim disability, you must also have enough work credits. The number of credits required depends on your age when you become disabled. Generally, younger workers need fewer credits than older workers. You earn one credit for each $1,705 in wages (this amount changes yearly), up to four credits per year. Most people need 40 credits total, with at least 20 earned in the 10 years before becoming disabled.

The application process for disability is separate from retirement. You file through your local Social Security office, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or online at ssa.gov. The initial decision typically takes three to five months. If denied, you can request reconsideration, then appeal to an administrative law judge if needed — this stage can take one to two years.

Survivor benefits: begin when a worker dies

When a Social Security-insured worker dies, their family members may receive survivor benefits immediately. A widow or widower can claim at age 60 (or age 50 if disabled). Children under age 19 (or up to age 19 if still in high school full-time) can claim at any age. A parent age 62 or older who was dependent on the worker can also claim.

The total amount paid to all family members combined cannot exceed 150 to 180 percent of what the worker would have received at full retirement age. If multiple family members claim, the payment is divided among them. A surviving spouse caring for a child under age 16 can claim at any age, not just at 60.

To claim survivor benefits, contact Social Security with the worker's death certificate and proof of your relationship. You can file by phone, in person at a local office, or online. Payments typically begin within one to two months of approval.

Work credits: the requirement you must meet for any benefit type

Every type of Social Security benefit requires you to have earned enough work credits through payroll taxes. You earn credits by working and paying Social Security tax on your wages. In 2024, you earn one credit for each $1,705 in wages, up to four credits per year. This dollar amount increases yearly with inflation.

For retirement benefits, you generally need 40 credits total (roughly 10 years of full-time work). For disability, the requirement depends on your age — someone disabled at 24 needs only 6 credits, while someone disabled at 31 or older needs 20 credits. Survivor benefits require the deceased worker to have had between 6 and 40 credits depending on their age at death.

You can check your work credits by creating an account on ssa.gov and viewing your Social Security Statement. This statement also shows your estimated benefit amounts at different claiming ages. If you find errors in your work history, you can request a correction by contacting Social Security with pay stubs or tax returns as proof.

How your payment amount is calculated

Social Security calculates your benefit based on your highest 35 years of earnings. The formula adjusts for inflation and applies a percentage based on your age when you claim. If you worked fewer than 35 years, zeros are included in the calculation, which lowers your benefit. Self-employed people and government workers may have different rules.

Your estimated benefit amount appears on your Social Security Statement, which you can view online at ssa.gov. The statement shows three scenarios: what you would receive at age 62, at full retirement age, and at age 70. These are estimates only and assume you continue working at your current rate until you claim.

If you have a spouse, you may be able to claim a spousal benefit equal to up to 50 percent of your spouse's full retirement age benefit, but only if you have been married at least two years. Divorced individuals may also claim on an ex-spouse's record under certain conditions. These rules are complex and vary by situation — contact Social Security directly to understand your options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work and still collect Social Security?

Yes, but if you claim before full retirement age and earn above a certain amount, Social Security reduces your benefit. In 2024, if you earn more than $23,400 per year before full retirement age, your benefit is reduced by $1 for every $2 you earn above that limit. Once you reach full retirement age, there is no earnings limit and no reduction.

What happens if I claim at 62 but change my mind later?

If you claim at 62 and change your mind within 12 months, you can withdraw your application and repay what you received. This resets your claim and allows you to claim again at a later age for a higher payment. After 12 months, you cannot withdraw, but you can suspend your benefits at full retirement age and let them grow until 70.

Do I need to be a U.S. citizen to claim Social Security?

No, but you must have a valid Social Security number and meet the work credit requirements. Non-citizens who worked and paid Social Security taxes can claim benefits. Some non-citizens living outside the U.S. have restrictions on receiving payments, so contact Social Security if this applies to you.

How do I know if I have enough work credits?

Create an account at ssa.gov and view your Social Security Statement, which shows your total credits and estimated benefits. You can also call 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local Social Security office. Your statement updates yearly and reflects all wages reported to Social Security under your name.

Can I claim benefits if I'm still working full-time?

Yes, but your benefit will be reduced if you claim before full retirement age and earn above the annual limit. At full retirement age or older, you can work and receive your full benefit with no reduction. Many people claim at full retirement age or later specifically to avoid the earnings limit.