The earliest you can start collecting retirement benefits is age 62. You can apply once you reach 61 years and 9 months of age. Show
However, Social Security reduces your payment if you start collecting before your full retirement age, or FRA. (FRA is 66 and 4 months for people born in 1956 and is gradually rising to 67 for those born in 1960 or later.) Only then do you qualify for 100 percent of your basic monthly benefit, which is calculated from your 35 highest-earning years. Your payment will increase even more if you wait until age 70 to apply, as you’ll be accruing delayed retirement credits. (You can apply later than 70, but it doesn’t change your benefit.) The starting age can differ for other types of Social Security benefits. Spousal benefits: These can begin at 62, as long as the spouse on whose work record you are claiming them is already receiving retirement benefits. Spousal benefits are reduced if taken before FRA. Survivor benefits: You can apply for benefits on the record of a deceased spouse or ex-spouse at 60; 50 if you are disabled; or any age if you are caring for the deceased’s under-16 or disabled child. These are also reduced if claimed prior to full retirement age, which is currently 66 for survivors. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): No age requirement, but you must have spent some time in work in which you paid Social Security taxes. The amount of time increases with age, but you may qualify for SSDI with less time in the workforce than you need to collect retirement benefits. You must also demonstrate that your medical condition meets Social Security’s strict definition of disability and show evidence that it prevents you from working. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is facing a large backlog of disability claims that grew during the COVID-19 pandemic. The agency had about 833,000 applications for SSDI pending in March 2021, an 11.5 percent increase from one year earlier, according to a July 2022 report from the SSA's Office of the Inspector General. Keep in mind
Ways to ApplyYou can complete an application for Retirement, Spouse's, Medicare or Disability Benefits online. If you cannot submit your application online:
If you live outside the U.S. you can contact the Federal Benefits Unit that provides service to your country of residence. Retirement or Spouse's BenefitsYou can apply online for Retirement or spouse's benefits or continue an application you already started. You must be at least 61 years and 9 months old and want your benefits to start no more than four months in the future. If you qualify for both retirement and spouse's benefits, please read: If you are eligible for a spouse's benefit and your own retirement benefit If you are almost 65, your application for benefits will include Medicare. Information You May Need to Apply:
Disability BenefitsYou can apply online for disability benefits or continue an application you already started. Information You May Need to Apply:
Appeal a Disability DecisionIf your application for disability benefits was denied recently for medical reasons, you can request an appeal online or continue working on an appeal you already started. Medicare BenefitsYou can apply online for Medicare or continue an application you already started. If you are almost 65 but you don't want your retirement benefits to start, you can just apply online for Medicare using the "Retirement/Medicare Benefits" application. Information You May Need to Apply:
Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug CostsYou can apply online for Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) BenefitsIf you want to apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), please read: How Do I Apply For SSI? Survivors BenefitsYou cannot report a death or apply for survivors' benefits online. If you need to report a death or apply for survivors' benefits, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). You can speak to a Social Security representative between 7 AM and 7 PM Monday through Friday. You can also contact your local Social Security office. In most cases, the funeral home will report the person's death to Social Security. If you want them to do that, you will need to give the deceased's Social Security Number to the funeral director so they can make the report. If you are getting benefits on your spouse's or parent's record:
If you are getting retirement or disability benefits on your own record, you will need to apply for the survivor benefits. We will check to see whether you can get a higher benefit as a widow or widower. If you are not getting benefits, you should apply for survivor benefits promptly because, in some cases, benefits may not be retroactive. Information You May Need to Apply:
Children's BenefitsYou cannot apply online for benefits for a child. Please read: Information You Need to Apply for Child's Benefits Check the Status of Your ApplicationAfter you apply, you can check the status of your application online. You will need your Social Security number and confirmation that you received when you applied to use this service. Is it better to take Social Security at 62 or 67?You can start receiving your Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62. However, you are entitled to full benefits when you reach your full retirement age. If you delay taking your benefits from your full retirement age up to age 70, your benefit amount will increase.
What is best age to apply for Social Security?The benefit at age 70 in this example is about 77% more than the benefit you would receive each month if you start getting benefits at age 62 — a difference of $540 each month. last as long as you live, provide valuable protection against outliving savings and other sources of retirement income.
How much is Social Security at 62?How Your Social Security Benefit Is Reduced. |