When to Claim Social Security: 62, Full Retirement Age or 70
How much claiming early costs, what waiting to 70 adds, how spousal and survivor benefits change the math, and the 2026 earnings limits.
Updated November 11, 2026 · Examined Life
You can start Social Security retirement benefits any time from 62 to 70. The age you pick changes your monthly check for the rest of your life, and it can change what a surviving spouse receives.
Full retirement age
| Year of birth | Full retirement age |
|---|---|
| 1943 to 1954 | 66 |
| 1955 | 66 and 2 months |
| 1956 | 66 and 4 months |
| 1957 | 66 and 6 months |
| 1958 | 66 and 8 months |
| 1959 | 66 and 10 months |
| 1960 or later | 67 |
If your birthday is January 1, use the year before.
What each age pays
| Claim at (full retirement age 67) | Share of your full benefit |
|---|---|
| 62 | 70% |
| 63 | 75% |
| 64 | 80% |
| 65 | 86.7% |
| 66 | 93.3% |
| 67 | 100% |
| 68 | 108% |
| 69 | 116% |
| 70 | 124% |
Each year you wait past full retirement age adds 8%, until 70. There's no gain in waiting past 70. Cost-of-living increases apply whenever you claim: 2.8% for 2026 and 3.6% for 2027.
Spouses and survivors
- A spouse can receive up to 50% of the worker's full benefit, if that's more than their own. Delayed credits don't increase spousal benefits.
- A divorced spouse can collect on a former spouse's record if the marriage lasted at least 10 years and they're 62 or older and unmarried.
- A surviving spouse can receive up to 100% of the deceased worker's benefit at full retirement age. Because the survivor keeps the larger of the two checks, delaying the higher earner's claim can protect the surviving spouse.
Working while collecting
- Before full retirement age, $1 is withheld for every $2 you earn above $24,480 in 2026 ($25,560 in 2027).
- In the year you reach full retirement age, $1 for every $3 above $65,160 in 2026 ($67,920 in 2027), counting only earnings before that month.
- From full retirement age on, there's no limit, and withheld months are credited back.
Medicare still starts at 65 even if you delay Social Security. Sign up on time to avoid late penalties.
The law behind this
- 42 U.S.C. § 402(b)-(c), (e)-(f)Spousal, divorced spouse and survivor benefits.
- SSA: Benefits by claiming ageReductions for claiming early.
- SSA: Delayed retirement creditsIncreases for waiting.
- SSA: Working while receiving benefitsThe earnings test.
Common questions
Is it better to claim Social Security at 62 or 70?
It depends on your health, whether you're still working, and whether a spouse will rely on your benefit as a survivor. Claiming at 62 pays 70% of your full benefit permanently (for a full retirement age of 67); waiting to 70 pays 124%.
Does waiting increase my spouse's benefit?
Not the spousal benefit while you're both alive, but it does increase what a surviving spouse can receive.
General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Laws, fees and deadlines change; confirm anything time-sensitive with the agency, court or a professional.
