When Should I Apply for Social Security?
Written by
Andrew Lisa
Edited by
Nupur Gambhir
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Deciding when to start Social Security is one of the biggest choices you’ll make in retirement planning. The timing — whether you claim early, wait until your full retirement age, or delay benefits — can have a major impact on how much money you receive over your lifetime.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The best time to claim depends on your health, expenses, life expectancy, other income sources, and long-term goals.
This guide breaks down how your benefits are calculated, how timing changes your monthly payments, and what to weigh before deciding when to claim — so you can make the choice that’s right for you.
How Social Security Benefits Work
The Social Security Administration (SSA) bases your retirement benefit on your highest 35 years of earnings, adjusted for inflation. It uses a progressive formula designed to replace a higher percentage of income for lower earners and a smaller percentage for higher earners.
You’ll receive your full benefit amount only if you start collecting at your full retirement age (FRA), which depends on your birth year. For most people born in 1960 or later, that’s age 67.
If you claim before your FRA, your monthly payments are permanently reduced for every month you file early. On the other hand, if you delay past your FRA, you’ll earn delayed retirement credits, which increase your benefit for life — up to age 70.
When You Can Start Collecting Benefits
You can start receiving Social Security as early as age 62, but doing so permanently reduces your benefit. If you claim right away, you’ll lose about 30% of what you’d receive at your full retirement age (FRA). The longer you wait, the smaller that reduction becomes.
If you delay beyond your FRA, the Social Security Administration increases your monthly payment by about 8% per year until age 70, when benefits max out at roughly 124% of your calculated amount. After age 70, there’s no additional benefit to waiting.
How Timing Changes Your Monthly Benefit
Let’s say you’re eligible for $1,000 per month at your full retirement age.
- Claiming at 62 would reduce your payment to about $700 per month.
- Waiting until 70 would raise it to about $1,240 per month — a permanent increase for life.
Key Factors to Consider Before You Apply for Social Security
The best time to claim Social Security depends on your personal and financial situation. Weigh these factors carefully before deciding when to file:
- Current and future income needs. If you rely heavily on Social Security for retirement income, you may need to claim early. Those with other steady income sources — like pensions, investments, or part-time work — can often afford to wait, allowing their benefit to grow.
- Health and life expectancy. Your overall health and family longevity play a big role in the timing decision. Claiming early might make sense if you have health concerns or shorter life expectancy. But if you expect a long retirement, delaying can lead to significantly higher lifetime benefits. Keep in mind that Medicare eligibility begins at age 65, regardless of when you start Social Security.
- Marital status and spousal benefits. Married couples and qualifying ex-spouses may be entitled to spousal benefits based on their partner’s earnings record. The higher earner’s claiming age can affect both spouses’ payments, so it’s often wise to coordinate your timing for maximum benefit.
- Employment plans. You can work and collect Social Security before reaching your full retirement age (FRA), but there are earnings limits. In 2025, the limit is $23,400 for those under FRA, and $62,160 in the year you reach it. If you earn more than these thresholds, your benefits may be temporarily reduced — but they’re recalculated and restored once you hit full retirement age.
Should You Claim Social Security Early or Wait?
There’s no universal rule for when to start Social Security — it depends on your situation and priorities. Here’s how the timing affects your benefits:
- Claiming early (as soon as age 62). You’ll get income sooner, which can help if you’ve retired or need the money now. But there’s a trade-off — your monthly payments will be permanently smaller, up to 30% less than if you waited.
- Waiting until full retirement age (around 67). You’ll receive your full benefit amount and avoid early-claiming penalties. This is the “break-even” option for many retirees who want steady income without a reduction.
- Delaying past full retirement age (up to age 70). For every year you wait, your benefit grows by roughly 8%, creating a larger check that lasts for life. This can pay off if you expect to live longer or want to maximize survivor benefits for a spouse.
Most experts suggest waiting if you can afford to, since it guarantees a higher lifelong payout. But some retirees prefer to claim early and invest the money, hoping market returns will beat the growth from delaying. The right move depends on your health, income needs, and comfort with risk.
How to Apply for Social Security Benefits
You can apply for Social Security in several ways, but no matter how you apply, you’ll need to gather a few key documents and details first.
Information and documents required:
- Full name and address
- Social Security number
- Birth certificate
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful residency
- Work history and employer information
- Marital history (including prior marriages, if applicable)
- Information on children or dependents
- Bank account details for direct deposit
How to apply:
- Online: Log in or create a mySocialSecurity account at ssa.gov and follow the application prompts.
- By phone: Call the SSA at (800) 772-1213 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. local time.
- In person: Call the same number to schedule an appointment at your nearest Social Security office.
Before You Apply
Make sure your decision is final. The SSA allows a one-time withdrawal of your application within 12 months of your start date — but only if you repay all the benefits you’ve received. After that window closes, your choice is permanent, and your benefit amount is locked in for life.
Mistakes That Could Reduce Your Social Security Benefits
When applying for Social Security, small oversights can lead to lasting consequences. Here are some common mistakes to watch out for:
- Claiming too early without considering longevity. Starting at 62 locks in a permanent reduction — which could cost you thousands over time if you live longer than expected.
- Overlooking the trade-offs before full retirement age. Many people don’t calculate how much they lose by claiming early or how much they could gain by waiting.
- Ignoring other income sources. Failing to coordinate Social Security with pensions, investments, or part-time income can lead to missed opportunities for tax efficiency.
- Not coordinating spousal benefits. Couples often claim separately without realizing how one spouse’s decision affects the other’s benefits — especially the survivor benefit.
- Working part-time without understanding the earnings limit. If you claim before full retirement age, earning too much can temporarily reduce your benefit.
- Forgetting about taxes. Up to 85% of your Social Security benefits can be taxable depending on your total income.
- Overlooking the impact of divorce. Divorced individuals may qualify for spousal benefits on an ex-partner’s record — but only if specific rules are met.
The Bottom Line: Choose the Timing That Works for You
There’s no universal “best age” to claim Social Security — the right time depends on your health, income needs, life expectancy, and long-term goals. What matters most is understanding how your choice affects your monthly payments and lifetime benefits.
Before applying, use the Social Security Administration’s benefits calculator to estimate your payments at different ages. A few minutes of planning now can help you make a confident decision that supports your financial future.
FAQ
- What is full retirement age, and how does it affect my Social Security benefits?
- Your full retirement age (FRA) is between 66 and 67, depending on your birth year. For anyone born in 1960 or later, it’s 67. That’s when you qualify for 100% of your earned benefit. If you claim earlier (as soon as age 62), your payments are permanently reduced by up to 30%. Waiting beyond your FRA increases your benefit through delayed retirement credits — up to age 70, when your payments are at their maximum.
- Is it better to take Social Security early or wait until age 70?
- It depends on your situation. If you need the income now or have health concerns, claiming early might make sense. But if you expect a long retirement or have other income sources to rely on, waiting can lead to significantly higher lifetime benefits.
- How does working after retirement affect my Social Security payments?
- Once you reach your full retirement age, your earnings won’t reduce your benefits. If you claim early, though, the earnings test limits how much you can make before your benefits are temporarily reduced. Once you hit your FRA, the SSA recalculates your payments to credit back those withheld amounts.
- Can my spouse’s benefits influence when I should apply?
- Yes. Coordinating your claiming strategy can help both spouses maximize their lifetime benefits. If one person has a higher earning history, delaying their claim can increase not just their benefit, but also the spousal and survivor benefits available to the other.
- How can I estimate my Social Security benefits?
- Create a free my Social Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount. You can use the built-in Retirement Calculator to estimate your monthly payments at different ages and plan when to file.
