Retirement & Taxes · Social Security
When should you claim Social Security?
You can start Social Security as early as 62, at your full retirement age, or as late as 70 — and the longer you wait, up to 70, the larger your monthly benefit. The right timing depends on your health, whether you're still working, your other income, and spousal or survivor considerations. It's a personal calculation.
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Retirement & Taxes · Social Security
When should you claim Social Security?
You can start Social Security as early as 62, at your full retirement age, or as late as 70 — and the longer you wait, up to 70, the larger your monthly benefit. The right timing depends on your health, whether you're still working, your other income, and spousal or survivor considerations. It's a personal calculation.
How claiming age changes your check
Starting before your full retirement age generally reduces your monthly benefit permanently. Claiming at full retirement age gives you the unreduced amount. And each year you wait beyond that, up to age 70, your monthly benefit generally grows. After 70 there's no further increase for waiting.
What to weigh
People usually look at a few things together: their health and family longevity, whether they're still working, what other income they have coming in, and the rough break-even math between a smaller check for longer and a larger check that starts later. None of those points the same direction for everyone.
How the answer fits into a full paycheck plan is covered on retirement income planning, and the tax side on tax planning in retirement.
Spousal and survivor benefits
A spouse may be able to claim based on the other spouse's record, and a surviving spouse may receive up to the higher of the two benefits. That means one person's claiming decision can affect what a surviving spouse receives later — which is often the piece couples hadn't considered.
General education, not advice
This is general education — for your situation, our team can point you to the right licensed professional. Social Security rules are detailed and can change, so confirm the specifics for your own record.
Common Questions
Questions we hear most
What's the earliest I can claim Social Security?
Age 62 for retirement benefits. Claiming that early permanently reduces your monthly amount compared with waiting until full retirement age.
Does waiting to claim increase my benefit?
Yes. Your monthly benefit generally grows for each year you delay past full retirement age, up to age 70.
How do spousal and survivor benefits work?
A spouse may be able to claim based on the other's record, and a surviving spouse may receive up to the higher benefit. The rules are detailed — our team can walk you through your situation.
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