The earliest you can claim Social Security retirement is age 62, but your monthly payment will be smaller than if you wait
You can start receiving Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62. However, the amount you receive each month depends on when you claim. If you claim at 62, your monthly payment will be roughly 30 percent lower than if you waited until your full retirement age — the age at which Social Security calculates your benefit at 100 percent. If you delay past your full retirement age, your payment increases by about 8 percent for each year you wait, up until age 70.
Your full retirement age is determined by your birth year. For people born in 1943 or later, it ranges from 66 to 67. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a table on their website showing the exact age for your birth year. You must have worked and paid Social Security taxes for at least 10 years (40 quarters) to receive retirement benefits under your own work record.
Key Takeaways
- You can claim Social Security retirement at 62, but your monthly payment will be permanently reduced compared to waiting until your full retirement age.
- Your full retirement age depends on your birth year and ranges from 66 to 67 for most people alive today.
- Waiting until age 70 gives you the highest possible monthly payment, increasing by about 8 percent per year after your full retirement age.
- You must have worked and paid Social Security taxes for at least 10 years to receive retirement benefits on your own work record.
- You can claim based on a spouse's or ex-spouse's work record if you meet certain conditions, even if you have not worked 10 years yourself.
How your birth year determines your full retirement age
Social Security uses your birth year to set your full retirement age. This is the age at which you receive 100 percent of your calculated benefit. For anyone born between 1943 and 1954, full retirement age is 66. For those born between 1955 and 1960, it increases gradually — for example, if you were born in 1957, your full retirement age is 66 and 6 months. Anyone born in 1960 or later has a full retirement age of 67.
You can find your exact full retirement age on the SSA website or by calling 1-800-772-1213. Knowing this number matters because it is the threshold where your benefit stops being reduced for claiming early and starts being increased for claiming late. If you claim before this age, your payment is permanently lower. If you claim after this age, your payment is permanently higher.
What happens if you claim at 62 versus waiting
Claiming at 62 gives you the lowest possible monthly payment but lets you start collecting sooner. The reduction is roughly 30 percent if your full retirement age is 67, or about 25 percent if your full retirement age is 66. This reduction is permanent — even after you reach your full retirement age, your payment does not increase to what it would have been if you had waited.
Waiting until your full retirement age gives you your full calculated benefit. Waiting past your full retirement age increases your payment by approximately 8 percent per year. At age 70, your payment reaches its maximum. After age 70, there is no financial benefit to delaying further — your payment stops increasing.
The choice between claiming early and waiting depends on your health, life expectancy, and financial needs. Someone in poor health might benefit from claiming at 62. Someone in good health with other income sources might benefit from waiting until 70. There is no single right answer — it is a personal decision based on your circumstances.
Claiming based on a spouse's or ex-spouse's record
You may be able to receive Social Security based on a spouse's or ex-spouse's work record even if you have not worked 10 years yourself. To claim on a spouse's record, you must be at least 62 years old and married to that person. To claim on an ex-spouse's record, you must be at least 62, divorced for at least two years, and the ex-spouse must be at least 62 (or you must have been married for at least 10 years).
The amount you receive as a spouse or ex-spouse is typically up to 50 percent of the worker's full retirement age benefit, but this amount is reduced if you claim before your own full retirement age. The rules for spouse and ex-spouse benefits are complex and vary depending on your age and the worker's age. Contact the SSA directly to understand how much you might receive based on someone else's record.
How to start the claiming process
You can create a my Social Security account online at ssa.gov to view your earnings record and start the claiming process. You can also call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 to speak with a representative, or visit a local Social Security office in person. The SSA recommends starting the process about three months before you want your benefits to begin.
When you contact the SSA, have your Social Security number, birth certificate, and proof of citizenship or legal residency ready. If you are claiming based on a spouse's or ex-spouse's record, you will also need their Social Security number and birth certificate. The SSA will ask you questions about your work history, family situation, and when you want to start receiving benefits.
After you submit your information, the SSA will review your work record and calculate your benefit amount. This process typically takes two to four weeks. Once approved, your first payment usually arrives within one to two months. Payments are deposited directly into your bank account or sent by check, depending on your preference.
What happens to your benefits if you work while receiving them
If you claim before your full retirement age and continue working, the SSA will reduce your benefits if your earnings exceed a certain limit. For 2024, if you are under full retirement age for the entire year, your benefits are reduced by $1 for every $2 you earn above $23,400. In the year you reach your full retirement age, benefits are reduced by $1 for every $3 you earn above $62,160, but only for earnings before the month you reach full retirement age.
Once you reach your full retirement age, there is no limit on how much you can earn without affecting your benefits. This is one reason some people choose to wait until their full retirement age to claim — they can continue working without any reduction to their payments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my mind after I start receiving Social Security?
Yes, but only within certain limits. If you have been receiving benefits for less than 12 months, you can withdraw your claim and reapply later at a higher rate. You must repay all benefits you received. After 12 months, you cannot withdraw your claim, but you can suspend your benefits at your full retirement age and let them grow until age 70.
What if I was born on January 1st — which birth year applies to me?
If you were born on January 1st, Social Security treats you as if you were born on December 31st of the previous year. This affects which birth year table is used to determine your full retirement age. Contact the SSA to confirm your exact full retirement age if your birthday is January 1st.
Do I have to claim Social Security at my full retirement age?
No. You can claim anytime between 62 and 70. Claiming before your full retirement age means a lower monthly payment. Claiming after your full retirement age means a higher monthly payment. You decide when to claim based on your needs and circumstances.
Will my spouse's benefits affect my own Social Security payment?
No. Your own Social Security benefit is based on your own work record and is not affected by whether your spouse receives benefits. However, if you are claiming based on your spouse's record, your benefit amount depends on their benefit amount and your age when you claim.
What if I have not worked 10 years but I am married — can I still get benefits?
Yes, you may be able to receive benefits based on your spouse's work record if you are at least 62 and married. You do not need your own 10-year work history to claim as a spouse. However, the amount you receive will be lower than if you had your own work record.