The earliest you can claim Social Security is age 62, but your monthly payment will be permanently smaller than if you wait

You become may be able to access to claim Social Security retirement benefits at age 62, no matter your work history or income. However, the Social Security Administration (SSA) reduces your monthly payment by roughly 30 percent if you claim at 62 instead of waiting until your full retirement age — which ranges from 66 to 67 depending on your birth year. If you wait until age 70, your monthly payment increases by about 24 percent per year of delay, meaning you receive roughly 76 percent more per month than you would at 62.

The choice between claiming early, at full retirement age, or at 70 is permanent. Once you start collecting, you cannot change your mind and restart at a higher rate. This makes the decision significant: claiming at 62 means accepting a smaller check for life, but you receive payments for eight more years than if you wait until 70. The break-even point — when the total money received catches up — typically occurs in your early 80s, though this varies based on your health, family history, and other income sources.

Key Takeaways

  • You can claim Social Security at 62, but your monthly payment will be permanently reduced by roughly 30 percent compared to waiting until full retirement age.
  • Your full retirement age depends on your birth year: people born in 1943–1954 have a full retirement age of 66, while those born in 1960 or later have a full retirement age of 67.
  • Delaying your claim from full retirement age to 70 increases your monthly payment by roughly 8 percent per year you wait.
  • The decision to claim early, at full retirement age, or at 70 is permanent and affects your lifetime benefits, so understanding your personal situation matters before you decide.
  • You must have earned at least 40 work credits (roughly 10 years of work) to receive any Social Security retirement benefit.

How your birth year determines your full retirement age

The SSA sets a full retirement age based on when you were born. This is the age at which you receive your full benefit amount with no reduction. For people born between 1943 and 1954, full retirement age is 66. For those born between 1955 and 1959, it increases by two months for each birth year. For people born in 1960 or later, full retirement age is 67.

If you claim before your full retirement age, your benefit is reduced. If you claim after your full retirement age, your benefit increases. The SSA publishes a full chart on its website showing the exact full retirement age for each birth year. Knowing your full retirement age is the foundation for deciding when to claim, because it determines both the reduction for early claiming and the increase for delayed claiming.

What happens if you claim at 62

Claiming at 62 gives you the smallest monthly payment but the longest collection period. The reduction depends on how far 62 is from your full retirement age. If your full retirement age is 67 and you claim at 62, your benefit is reduced by about 30 percent. If your full retirement age is 66 and you claim at 62, the reduction is about 25 percent. The SSA calculates the exact reduction based on the number of months between 62 and your full retirement age.

Many people claim at 62 because they need the money now, have health concerns, or want to receive benefits while they can enjoy them. However, this choice locks in a smaller payment for life. If you live into your 80s — which is increasingly common — the total money you receive over your lifetime may be less than if you had waited. Before claiming at 62, consider whether you have other income sources, your health status, and whether you plan to continue working.

What happens if you wait until full retirement age or beyond

If you wait until your full retirement age, you receive your full benefit amount with no reduction. If you wait past your full retirement age, your benefit increases by roughly 8 percent per year until age 70. This means if your full retirement age is 67 and you wait until 70, your monthly payment is about 24 percent higher than it would be at 67.

Waiting until 70 gives you the highest monthly payment but the shortest collection period. This strategy makes sense if you are in good health, have other income to live on, or want to maximize the benefit your surviving spouse or family members receive. Spousal and survivor benefits are also based on your benefit amount, so a higher benefit at 70 means higher payments for your spouse or children if you pass away.

How work history and credits affect when you can claim

To receive any Social Security retirement benefit, you must have earned at least 40 work credits. You earn one credit for each quarter of the year in which you earn a certain amount of income (the income threshold changes yearly; in 2024 it is $1,730 per quarter). Most people earn four credits per year, meaning 40 credits typically requires about 10 years of work.

If you have not earned 40 credits by age 62, you cannot claim Social Security retirement benefits at that age. You can continue working to earn more credits, and the SSA recalculates your benefit amount each year based on your updated earnings record. If you are close to 40 credits, working a few more years may be the only way to become may be able to access. You can check your work history and credit count on your Social Security account at ssa.gov.

Continuing to work while collecting Social Security

If you claim before your full retirement age and continue working, the SSA reduces your benefit by $1 for every $2 you earn above an annual limit. In 2024, that limit is $23,400. The year you reach your full retirement age, the reduction is $1 for every $3 earned above a higher limit ($62,160 in 2024), but only for earnings before the month you reach full retirement age. Once you reach full retirement age, there is no earnings limit — you can work and collect your full benefit.

This earnings test is temporary. It only applies if you claim before full retirement age. If you wait until full retirement age to claim, you can work as much as you want without any reduction to your benefit. This is another reason some people delay claiming: they can continue earning their regular income while waiting for their Social Security benefit to grow.

How to check your Social Security record and plan your claim

Before you decide when to claim, review your earnings record to make sure it is accurate. You can create a free account at ssa.gov and view your work history, estimated benefits at different claiming ages, and the number of credits you have earned. The SSA also provides a benefit calculator that shows your estimated monthly payment if you claim at 62, full retirement age, or 70.

If you find errors in your earnings record, you can correct them by contacting the SSA directly. Errors can significantly affect your benefit amount, so it is worth checking before you claim. Once you are ready to claim, you can apply online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. The application process typically takes a few weeks, and benefits usually begin the month after you are approved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my mind after I start collecting Social Security?

You can withdraw your application within 12 months of claiming and repay all benefits received, which resets your claim to a later age. After 12 months, you cannot withdraw. Some people use this window to correct a decision made in haste, but it requires repaying a large sum. After 12 months, your choice is permanent.

What if I was born on January 1st — which year applies to me?

If you were born on January 1st, you are considered to have been born in the previous year for Social Security purposes. For example, if your birth certificate says January 1, 1960, the SSA treats you as born in 1959. Check the SSA's full retirement age chart to confirm which year applies to you.

Does my spouse's Social Security benefit affect when I should claim?

Your spouse may be able to claim a benefit based on your work record, and that benefit is also affected by when you claim. If you delay claiming, your spouse's benefit increases as well. If you are married and one spouse has significantly higher earnings, coordinating your claiming ages can maximize the household's total lifetime benefits. The SSA can explain spousal benefit options when you apply.

What happens to my Social Security if I move out of the United States?

You can collect Social Security while living in most countries, but some restrictions apply. If you are a U.S. citizen, you can receive benefits anywhere. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you may have limits on where you can live and still collect. Contact the SSA before you move internationally to confirm your situation.

Can I claim Social Security before 62 if I am disabled?

Yes. If you have a severe medical condition that prevents you from working, you may be able to claim Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) before age 62. SSDI has different rules and may be able to access requirements than retirement benefits. Once you reach full retirement age, your SSDI benefit converts to a retirement benefit at the same amount. Contact the SSA to learn whether you may be may be able to access for disability benefits.