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
Starting your Social Security retirement benefits is a major step on your retirement journey. This page will guide you through the process of applying for retirement benefits when you’re ready to take that step. Our online application is a convenient way to apply on your own schedule, without an appointment. You can also apply by phone or by appointment at a Social Security office. Jump to a topic on this page: Before You Apply / How To Apply / Once You've Applied Before You Apply
Before you apply, take time to review the basics, understand the process, and gather the documents you’ll need to complete an application. We encourage you to create or sign in to your personal my Social Security account to verify your earnings. Your future benefits are based on the earnings we have on your earnings record. Review Retirement Benefits BasicsYou can start your retirement benefits as early as age 62 or as late as age 70. If you’re preparing to apply for retirement benefits, knowing when you’re eligible to apply and how the system works are the first steps in choosing what age is right for you. Before you submit an application, go to our Learn About Retirement Benefits page to understand:
Understand The Application ProcessThe retirement benefits application process follows these general steps, whether you apply online, by phone, or in person:
How Early Can I Apply?You must be at least age 62 for the entire month to be eligible to receive benefits. If you were born on the first or second day of the month, you meet this requirement in the month of your 62nd birthday. If you were born on any other day of the month, you do not meet this requirement until the following month. You can apply up to four months before you want your retirement benefits to start. For example, if you turn 62 on December 2, you can start your benefits as early as December. If you want your benefits to start in December, you can apply in August. If you turn 62 any day after December 2, you are not age 62 for the entire month of December. You can start your benefits as early as January when you are 62 for the entire month. If you want your benefits to start in January, you can apply in September. Social Security benefits are paid in the month following the month they are due. If you are due benefits for the month of December, you will receive your first check in January for December. Ready To Start Medicare?If you’ll turn 65 within three months, you can use our online application to apply for Medicare and Social Security retirement benefits at the same time, or you can use it to apply for just Medicare. To learn more about your Medicare options, review our section on Medicare Benefits. Applying As A Spouse Or Family MemberYou may be able to receive retirement benefits on your spouse or former spouse’s record. Likewise, your spouse or family member may be able to receive benefits on your record if they qualify. Learn more about Benefits For Your Family. Retirement Benefits For SurvivorsIf you are the spouse, divorced spouse, family member, or parent of a worker who has died and you are planning to apply for retirement benefits, review our Survivors Benefits page to see how Social Security survivor benefits relate to your situation. Gather Information You Need to ApplyBefore applying, be ready to provide your Social Security number and information about:
We will ask for certain documents we need to review and process your application. These documents may include:
As you prepare to apply for benefits, first gather the documents listed on our Checklist for Online Medicare, Retirement & Spouses Application. Instructions on how to submit your documents will appear at the end of the online application. If applying by phone, gather the information above. We will walk you through the process on the phone. If applying in person, ask your local Social Security office what you need to bring when you call to schedule your appointment. They can help you if you don’t have all your documents right now. How To ApplyApplying online is the easiest way to complete your application at a time that works for you, without a trip to the Social Security office. You can also apply by phone or at a Social Security office. This section will tell you about the different options. Apply OnlineFollow these steps to apply online:
Watch our video, “Welcome To Our Online Retirement/Medicare Application,” for an overview of the process. Tips For Using The Online ApplicationWe’ve worked hard to make applying online as simple as possible while also keeping your information safe. For security reasons, the online application gives you a warning if you leave it open and don’t do anything for 25 minutes. You can choose to extend your time on the page if you get this warning. However, after the third warning, you must move to another page or your information will not be saved. Here are more tips for using the online application:
Start your application now. Signing The Online ApplicationYou’ll have a chance to review your answers and make changes, if needed. Once you’ve filled everything out, we’ll ask you to confirm that your answers are true to the best of your knowledge. You can be held liable for intentionally providing false or misleading information. The last step is to “sign” the online application by clicking “Submit Now.” You can check the status of your submitted application using a confirmation number we provide. Helping Someone Else Apply OnlineYou may help someone else fill out their application, but you are not allowed to sign it for them. Only the person applying for benefits can legally sign the application. If they are not able to sign online, we will mail them a copy to sign. Read more about Helping Someone Apply Online. Apply With Your Local OfficeYou can do most of your business with Social Security online. If you cannot use these online services, your local Social Security office can help you apply. Although our offices are closed to the public, employees from those offices are assisting people by telephone. You can find the phone number for your local office by using our Field Office Locator and looking under Social Security Office Information. The toll-free “Office” number is your local office. Apply By PhoneCall 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, to apply by phone. If You Do Not Live In The U.S. Or One Of Its TerritoriesContact the Federal Benefits Unit for your country of residence if you live outside the U.S. or a U.S. territory and wish to apply for retirement benefits. Once You've AppliedOnce we receive your application, we’ll review it and contact you if we have any questions. We might request additional documents from you before we can process your application. Look For Our ResponseYou’ll receive a letter in the mail with our decision. If you included information about other family members when you applied, we’ll let you know if they may be able to receive benefits from your application. Check The StatusYou can check the status of your application online using your personal my Social Security account. If you are unable to check your status online, you can call us 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Appeal A DecisionYou have a right to appeal any decision we make about whether you’re entitled to benefits. You must request an appeal in writing within 60 days of receiving our decision. There are four levels of appeal:
To learn more, visit Appeal A Decision. Withdraw Your ApplicationSometimes, life changes occur after you submit your application. You have up to 12 months to withdraw your application, if you change your mind. You will be required to repay any benefits you’ve already received. Learn more about Withdrawing Your Social Security Retirement Application. What is my retirement age for Social Security?The full retirement age is 66 if you were born from 1943 to 1954. The full retirement age increases gradually if you were born from 1955 to 1960, until it reaches 67. For anyone born 1960 or later, full retirement benefits are payable at age 67.
What is the earliest age someone can receive Social Security?The earliest a person can start receiving Social Security retirement benefits will remain age 62. Social Security benefits are reduced for each month a person receives benefits before full retirement age.
How much is Social Security at 62?How Your Social Security Benefit Is Reduced. |