Average Social Security Check at Age 63: What to Expect If You Claim Early
Written by
Rudri Patel
Edited by
Nupur Gambhir
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If you start collecting Social Security at age 63, your monthly check will be smaller than if you wait until full retirement age. As of 2025, the average Social Security check at age 63 is about $1,800 per month.
That reduction may not sound huge, but over the course of retirement, it can add up to tens of thousands of dollars less in lifetime benefits. For someone deciding whether to claim early, this means you’ll need to weigh the trade-off: getting money in your pocket sooner versus locking in a permanently lower benefit.
What Is the Average Social Security Check at Age 63?
At age 63, the average monthly Social Security benefit is about $1,800, according to the SSA’s December 2024 data. By comparison, waiting until full retirement age — 67 for those born in 1960 or later — would provide the full benefit of about $2,511 per month. Claiming at 63 means locking in roughly a 25% reduction for life.
This reduction happens because you’re collecting early rather than waiting until full retirement age. The exact amount you receive also depends on your lifetime earnings history, so benefits can vary from person to person.
How Claiming Social Security at 63 Impacts Your Benefit
Claiming Social Security at 63 means locking in a permanent reduction to your monthly benefit. For those born in 1960 or later, full retirement age is 67. If you were born between 1940 and 1959, your full retirement age falls between 66 and 67, depending on your birth year and month.
By starting early, you’ll typically see about a 25% cut from your full benefit amount — and once you claim, that reduction can’t be undone.
Does Early Retirement Hurt Your Social Security Benefits?
If you retire and claim Social Security at age 63, you’ll only receive about 75% of your full benefit. That reduction is permanent — you’re giving up the chance to collect a larger monthly check by waiting until full retirement age.
What if you stop working before you claim?
Leaving the workforce early can cut your benefits even more. Social Security bases your payment on your 35 highest-earning years. If you don’t have a full 35 years of work history, the missing years are counted as zeros. Those zeros get averaged into the formula, which lowers your monthly benefit.
How to Boost Your Monthly Benefit
The longer you work and the later you claim, the bigger your monthly Social Security check will be.
Why People Choose to Claim Social Security Benefits at 63
There are many reasons people choose to claim Social Security benefits before full retirement age, including:
- Financial need. If you’re facing health challenges or no longer working, early benefits can provide much-needed income.
- Life expectancy. If you expect a shorter lifespan, taking benefits sooner may allow you to receive more over your lifetime.
- Enjoyment in retirement. Some people prefer to use the money earlier to travel, pursue hobbies, or simply have more fun while they’re younger.
- Peace of mind. Others like the security of getting payments as soon as possible, maximizing the time they receive benefits.
How Social Security Benefits Are Calculated
Your Social Security benefit isn’t random — it’s based on your work history and when you decide to claim. Here’s the breakdown:
- Work history matters. The SSA looks at your 35 highest-earning years. If you worked fewer than 35 years, the missing years count as zeros and bring down your average.
- Earnings are adjusted. Those 35 years of income are updated for inflation so they reflect today’s value.
- Your average is calculated. The SSA averages your inflation-adjusted earnings to come up with your Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME).
- Your base benefit is set. That AIME goes into a formula to determine your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) — the foundation of your monthly benefit.
- Timing changes the check. The age you start claiming — whether early, on time, or later — decides whether you get less, the full amount, or a higher benefit.
How Age Affects Your Social Security Check
The age you start claiming Social Security directly affects the size of your monthly check. The examples below assume a full retirement age of 67 with a monthly benefit of $2,200.
| When You Claim | Percent You’ll Receive | Estimated Monthly Check |
|---|---|---|
| 62 | 70% | $1,500 |
| 63 | 75-77% | $1,650 |
| 66-67 | 100% | $2,200 |
| 70 | 124% | $2,700 |
Can You Live on Social Security Alone at 63?
The average household spends about $61,000 a year. By comparison, a typical Social Security check of $1,870 a month adds up to roughly $22,400 annually. That gap makes it clear: Social Security alone isn’t enough to cover the average household’s expenses.
Social Security is only one piece of the puzzle — you’ll likely need additional income sources to fill the gap. That could mean money from a high-yield savings account, a pension, spousal benefits, or even part-time or freelance work.
If you’re considering taking benefits early, start by building a realistic budget so you know how far your check will go. It’s also wise to sit down with a financial advisor, who can review your overall portfolio and help you decide whether claiming early makes sense for your long-term plan.
FAQ
- What is the average Social Security check at age 63?
- The average monthly benefit at age 63 is about $1,800. That’s roughly 25% less than what you’d receive if you waited until your full retirement age of 67.
- Is it smart to take Social Security at 63?
- It can make sense if you need the income right away—for example, if you’re facing health issues, covering daily expenses, or dealing with a financial emergency. On the other hand, if you’re in good health and have other savings to rely on, waiting could be the better choice since claiming at 63 locks in a permanently reduced benefit.
- How much less will I get if I claim at 63 instead of 67?
- Claiming at 63 means about a 25% reduction compared to waiting until your full retirement age at 67.
- Can I work and collect Social Security at 63?
- Yes, you can work while receiving benefits. However, there’s an earnings limit before you reach full retirement age. In 2025, you can earn up to $22,320 per year without a penalty. If you make more than that, your benefits will be temporarily reduced.
