You can sign up for Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62, but the month you were born determines the exact date you become may be able to access

Social Security does not have a single enrollment date that applies to everyone. Instead, your full retirement age — the age at which you receive your full benefit amount — depends on your birth year. If you were born in 1943 or later, your full retirement age is somewhere between 66 and 67. You can claim benefits before that age, starting at 62, but your monthly payment will be permanently reduced. You can also wait past your full retirement age until 70, which increases your monthly payment by about 8 percent per year.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) does not require you to sign up on any particular date. You choose when to claim. That choice determines how much you receive each month for the rest of your life, so understanding the timing matters.

Key Takeaways

  • You can claim Social Security as early as age 62, but claiming before your full retirement age reduces your monthly benefit permanently.
  • Your full retirement age is between 66 and 67 depending on your birth year, and you can find yours on the SSA website or by calling 1-800-772-1213.
  • Waiting until age 70 increases your monthly benefit by roughly 8 percent per year compared to claiming at your full retirement age.
  • You sign up through the SSA website, by phone, or in person at a local Social Security office; the process takes about 15 minutes online.
  • You should have your birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and tax records ready when you sign up.

How your birth year determines when you reach full retirement age

The SSA uses a table based on your birth year to calculate your full retirement age. If you were born between 1943 and 1954, your full retirement age is 66. If you were born between 1955 and 1960, it increases by two months for each year — so someone born in 1955 has a full retirement age of 66 and 2 months, and someone born in 1960 has a full retirement age of 67. If you were born in 1961 or later, your full retirement age is 67.

You can find your exact full retirement age on the SSA website under "Retirement Age Calculator," or you can call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 and a representative will tell you. Knowing this number is the first step in deciding when to claim, because it is the threshold where your benefit stops being reduced for early claiming.

What happens if you claim before your full retirement age

Claiming at 62 is the earliest you can start receiving benefits, but your monthly payment is reduced by about 30 percent compared to what you would receive at your full retirement age. The reduction is permanent — it does not go away when you reach full retirement age. If your full retirement age benefit would be $1,500 per month, claiming at 62 might give you around $1,050 per month for life.

There is an additional rule called earnings test that applies if you claim before your full retirement age and continue to work. If you earn more than a certain amount per year (the limit changes annually and was $23,400 in 2024), the SSA deducts $1 from your benefit for every $2 you earn above that limit. This rule stops applying once you reach your full retirement age, even if you are still working.

What happens if you wait past your full retirement age

For every year you delay claiming past your full retirement age, your monthly benefit increases by about 8 percent per year, up until age 70. If you wait from age 67 to age 70, your benefit at 70 would be roughly 24 percent higher than it would have been at 67. After age 70, the benefit no longer increases, so there is no financial reason to delay past that point.

Waiting makes the most sense if you are in good health, expect to live into your mid-80s or beyond, or do not need the money immediately. Claiming early makes more sense if you have health concerns, need the income now, or do not expect to live much longer. The "break-even" point — where the total amount you receive over your lifetime is roughly the same whether you claimed early or waited — is typically around age 80 or 81.

How to sign up for Social Security benefits

You can sign up through three methods: online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. The online method is usually fastest — the application takes about 15 minutes and you can do it from home. You will need to create a my Social Security account if you do not already have one.

By phone, a representative will walk you through the same questions and can answer questions as you go. Wait times vary; calling early in the week or early in the day usually means shorter holds. In-person appointments at a local office can take longer to schedule but allow you to ask detailed questions and bring documents if needed.

Documents you need before you sign up

Have these items ready when you apply: your birth certificate or a certified copy, proof of citizenship (a U.S. passport, naturalization certificate, or consular report of birth abroad) or proof of legal residency if you were not born in the U.S., and your most recent tax return or W-2 form. If you have been married, you may also need divorce decrees or a spouse's birth certificate, depending on whether you are claiming spousal or survivor benefits.

If you do not have originals, you can order certified copies from your state's vital records office or the U.S. State Department. The SSA can sometimes work with photocopies or electronic documents, but having originals or certified copies speeds up the process. You do not need to bring these documents if you apply online — you can upload them or mail them later — but having them on hand before you start makes the application smoother.

What happens after you sign up

Once you submit your application, the SSA will review it and contact you if they need more information. This usually takes two to four weeks. If everything is in order, you will receive a notice in the mail confirming your benefit amount and your start date. Your first payment arrives by direct deposit or check, depending on how you set it up.

Your benefit payments begin the month after the SSA approves your claim, unless you choose a later start date. If you applied online or by phone, you can check the status of your application through your my Social Security account or by calling 1-800-772-1213.

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 reapply later at a higher age. You must repay all benefits you received. After 12 months, you cannot withdraw, but you can suspend your benefits at your full retirement age and let them grow until 70, though this is rarely done.

What if I am still working when I turn 62?

You can claim benefits and keep working. However, if you claim before your full retirement age and earn above the annual limit, your benefit will be reduced. Once you reach your full retirement age, you can earn any amount without a reduction. Many people wait to claim until they stop working or reach full retirement age to avoid this reduction.

Do I have to claim Social Security at my full retirement age?

No. Your full retirement age is when you receive your full benefit amount, but you can claim anytime between 62 and 70. The choice is entirely yours. Some people claim early because they need the money; others wait because they want a larger monthly payment.

What if I was born outside the United States?

You can still claim Social Security if you have worked in the U.S. and paid Social Security taxes. You will need to show proof of legal residency or citizenship. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you may need to be physically present in the U.S. when you apply, or meet other requirements. Call 1-800-772-1213 to discuss your specific situation.