The age you can start depends on which type of Social Security you're seeking
Social Security has different programs, and each one has its own starting age. Retirement benefits can begin as early as age 62, but the amount you receive depends on when you claim. Disability benefits (SSDI) have no age requirement — you can receive them at any age if you meet the work and medical criteria. Survivor benefits go to family members of a worker who has died, and the age rules vary by relationship to the deceased worker.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) does not let you claim before you meet the age or work requirements for your specific program. You cannot submit a request early and wait for approval; the SSA will not process a claim until you have reached the earliest possible date for that benefit type.
Key Takeaways
- Retirement benefits can start at age 62, but waiting until your full retirement age (66 to 67, depending on birth year) or age 70 increases your monthly payment.
- Disability benefits have no minimum age and can begin once the SSA determines you cannot work due to a medical condition expected to last at least 12 months.
- Survivor benefits for family members begin at different ages depending on whether the recipient is a spouse, child, or parent of the deceased worker.
- You must have earned enough work credits to be insured for the benefit type you want — typically 40 credits for retirement, fewer for disability or survivor benefits.
- The SSA will not process your claim before you reach the earliest start date for your program, so timing your request matters for when payments actually begin.
Retirement benefits: age 62 through 70
You can claim Social Security retirement benefits starting at age 62. However, the amount you receive each month is permanently reduced if you claim before your full retirement age. Your full retirement age depends on your birth year: it ranges from 66 to 67 for people born between 1943 and 1960, and is 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later.
If you wait until your full retirement age, you receive your standard benefit amount. If you wait until age 70, your monthly payment increases by about 8 percent for each year you delay past your full retirement age. This increase stops at age 70, so there is no financial advantage to waiting beyond that point.
You must have earned at least 40 work credits to receive retirement benefits. You earn one credit for each $1,730 of wages you report (this dollar amount changes each year). Most people earn four credits per year, so 40 credits typically means you worked for at least 10 years.
Disability benefits: any age if you meet medical and work requirements
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) has no age requirement. You can receive it at 25, 45, or 60 — what matters is whether the SSA determines you cannot work because of a medical condition. The condition must be severe enough to prevent you from doing any substantial work and must be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.
You must also have earned enough work credits. The number of credits required depends on your age when you become disabled. If you are under 24, you may need as few as 6 credits earned in the three years before you became disabled. If you are 31 or older, you typically need 20 credits earned in the 10 years before you became disabled, plus 40 credits total in your lifetime.
The SSA reviews your medical records, work history, and sometimes orders its own medical examination. This review process typically takes three to five months, though complex cases take longer. If the SSA denies your claim, you can request reconsideration or appeal to an administrative law judge.
Survivor benefits: varies by family relationship
When a worker who paid into Social Security dies, certain family members may receive survivor benefits. The deceased worker must have earned enough work credits — usually 40 total, though fewer credits are needed if the worker was young when they died.
A widow or widower can claim survivor benefits at age 60 (or age 50 if disabled). A surviving spouse caring for the deceased worker's child under age 16 can claim at any age. Children of the deceased can receive benefits until age 19 if they are still in high school, or until age 18 if they are not in school. A dependent parent of the deceased can claim at age 62.
Survivor benefits are paid to each family member as a percentage of the deceased worker's benefit amount. The total paid to all family members combined cannot exceed 150 to 180 percent of what the worker would have received at full retirement age.
How the SSA counts your work credits and insured status
Work credits are the SSA's measure of how long you have worked and paid Social Security taxes. You earn one credit for each $1,730 of covered wages in 2024 (this amount increases each year). You can earn a maximum of four credits per year, regardless of how much you earn.
To be insured for retirement benefits, you need 40 credits total. To be insured for disability benefits, the number of credits required depends on your age at the time you become disabled. To be insured for survivor benefits, the deceased worker needs enough credits based on their age at death.
The SSA has a record of your earnings history. You can view your record online through your my Social Security account, or you can request a paper statement by mail. Checking your record before you claim helps you catch any errors in reported wages, which can affect your benefit amount.
What happens when you reach the earliest start date
Once you reach the earliest date you can claim your benefit type, you can contact the SSA to start the process. For retirement benefits, this is age 62. For disability, it is the date the SSA determines your condition began. For survivor benefits, it is the date you meet the age or relationship requirement.
You can contact the SSA by phone at 1-800-772-1213, by visiting your local Social Security office, or by creating an account at ssa.gov and submitting your claim online. The SSA will ask for documents such as your birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and tax returns or W-2 forms to verify your earnings history.
Payments typically begin the month after the SSA approves your claim, though the exact timing depends on which benefit type you are receiving and when you submit your request. If you claim retirement benefits, the SSA can backdate your claim up to six months, meaning you may receive a lump sum for months you were already may be able to access but had not yet claimed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim retirement benefits before age 62?
No. Age 62 is the earliest you can claim Social Security retirement benefits. The SSA will not process a retirement claim before you reach that age, even if you have earned 40 work credits and are otherwise ready to receive benefits.
What if I become disabled before I reach retirement age?
You can claim SSDI at any age if you meet the medical and work requirements. The SSA does not require you to wait until a certain age. You will need to provide medical evidence that your condition prevents you from working and is expected to last at least 12 months.
Does waiting to claim retirement benefits increase my payment?
Yes. If you wait past your full retirement age to claim, your monthly payment increases by roughly 8 percent per year until age 70. Claiming at 62 results in a permanently lower payment than claiming at your full retirement age or later.
Can my family members receive benefits on my work record?
Yes. Your spouse, ex-spouse (if married at least 10 years), and children under 19 (or 19 if in high school) may be able to receive benefits based on your work record once you claim retirement or become disabled. Each family member receives a portion of your benefit amount.
What if the SSA says I don't have enough work credits?
You can request that the SSA review your earnings record to check for missing or misreported wages. If errors are found, they can be corrected. If you genuinely do not have enough credits, you cannot claim that benefit type until you earn more credits through continued work.