Social Security payments start the month after you reach your full retirement age, or earlier if you claim at 62

The month you were born determines your full retirement age — the age at which Social Security pays you 100 percent of your benefit amount. If you were born in 1943 or later, your full retirement age is between 66 and 67, depending on your birth year. You can claim as early as 62, but your monthly payment will be permanently reduced. If you wait past your full retirement age, your payment increases by about 8 percent per year until age 70.

Social Security does not start automatically. You must contact the Social Security Administration to claim your benefit. The earliest you can file is 61 years and 9 months old. Once you file, payments typically begin the month after your application is processed, which usually takes 1 to 2 weeks if you apply online or by phone, or 2 to 4 weeks if you apply in person at a local office.

Key Takeaways

  • Your full retirement age is between 66 and 67 if you were born in 1943 or later; you can claim as early as 62, but your monthly payment will be smaller for life.
  • Claiming at 62 reduces your benefit by about 30 percent; waiting until 70 increases it by about 24 percent compared to your full retirement age amount.
  • You must file a claim with the Social Security Administration — benefits do not start on their own when you reach a certain age.
  • You can file online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office.
  • Payments begin the month after your application is approved, which usually takes 1 to 4 weeks depending on how you file.

How your birth year determines your full retirement age

Congress set different full retirement ages for different birth cohorts. If you were born between 1943 and 1954, your full retirement age is 66. If you were 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. If you were born in 1960 or later, your full retirement age is 67.

You can find your exact full retirement age on the Social Security Administration's 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.

What happens if you claim before your full retirement age

You can file for Social Security as early as age 62. If you do, your monthly payment is reduced by a percentage that depends on how many months before your full retirement age you claim. Claiming at 62 when your full retirement age is 67 reduces your benefit by about 30 percent — a permanent cut that applies to every payment you receive for the rest of your life.

The reduction is smaller if your full retirement age is 66 instead of 67, but it is still substantial. There is no way to undo this reduction later. If you claim at 62 and then change your mind at 65, you cannot go back to the higher amount. The only exception is if you withdraw your claim within 12 months of filing and repay all benefits you received; this option is rarely used and has strict limits.

What happens if you wait past your full retirement age

For every year you delay claiming after your full retirement age, your monthly benefit increases by about 8 percent per year. This increase stops at age 70. If your full retirement age is 67 and you wait until 70 to claim, your benefit will be about 24 percent higher than it would have been at 67.

Waiting makes sense if you are in good health and expect to live into your mid-80s or beyond. It also makes sense if you are still working and earning enough that your earnings would reduce your benefit anyway — a rule that applies until you reach your full retirement age. Once you reach full retirement age, you can earn any amount without your benefit being reduced.

How to file for Social Security

You have three ways to file: online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. Filing online is usually fastest — you can complete the application in about 15 minutes, and the Social Security Administration will contact you if they need more information. You will need your Social Security number, birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and your bank account information for direct deposit.

If you file by phone, a representative will walk you through the application. If you file in person, bring the same documents and expect to spend 30 minutes to an hour at the office. You can find your local office at ssa.gov/locator or by calling the main number.

After you file, the Social Security Administration will review your earnings record to calculate your benefit amount. This usually takes 1 to 2 weeks if you file online or by phone, or 2 to 4 weeks if you file in person. You will receive a notice in the mail confirming your benefit amount and your first payment date.

When your first payment arrives

Social Security payments are made on a schedule based on your birth date. If you were born on the 1st through the 10th of any month, you receive your payment on the second Wednesday of each month. If you were born on the 11th through the 20th, you receive it on the third Wednesday. If you were born on the 21st through the 31st, you receive it on the fourth Wednesday. These dates apply whether you claim at 62 or 70.

Your first payment arrives the month after your application is approved. If you file in January and are approved in February, your first payment will arrive in March according to the schedule above. Direct deposit is the only way to receive payments; you cannot receive a check or have payments sent to a third party.

What to do if you are still working when you claim

If you claim Social Security before your full retirement age and you are still working, your benefit will be reduced if your earnings exceed a certain amount. For 2024, if you earn more than $23,400 per year, Social Security deducts $1 from your benefit for every $2 you earn above that limit. This reduction applies only until you reach your full retirement age; once you do, your earnings no longer affect your benefit.

The earnings limit applies only to work income, not to pensions, investment income, or other sources of money. If you are self-employed, your net profit counts as earnings. You must report your earnings to Social Security; they will use your tax return to verify the amount.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my mind after I claim Social Security?

You can withdraw your claim within 12 months of filing if you repay all benefits you received. After 12 months, you cannot withdraw. If you claimed early and want a higher benefit, you can suspend your payments at your full retirement age and let them grow until 70, but this is rarely worth doing because you lose the payments you already received.

What if I was born outside the United States?

You can receive Social Security if you have a valid Social Security number and meet the work requirements. You will need to provide proof of citizenship or legal residency when you file. If you live outside the United States, you can still receive payments, but some countries have restrictions — contact the Social Security Administration to confirm your situation.

Does my spouse get a benefit when I claim?

Your spouse may be able to receive a benefit based on your earnings record, even if they did not work. The amount depends on their age and your full retirement age. Your spouse can claim as early as 62, but like your own benefit, claiming early reduces the amount. Contact Social Security for details about your spouse's options.

What if I miss the deadline to file?

There is no deadline. You can file for Social Security at any age after 61 years and 9 months. If you wait years after your full retirement age to file, you will receive back payments for up to six months before you apply, but not for the full period you waited. The longer you delay, the higher your monthly payment, but you lose the payments from the months you did not claim.

How do I know if my application was approved?

The Social Security Administration will send you a notice in the mail with your benefit amount and your first payment date. You can also check the status of your application online at ssa.gov if you created a my Social Security account when you filed. If you filed by phone or in person, you can call 1-800-772-1213 to ask about your status.