When Can You Start Collecting Social Security?

When Can You Start Collecting Social Security?

When Can You Start Collecting Social Security?

When can I collect Social Security

Listen to this article 0.00 0.00
The earliest you can start collecting retirement benefits is age 62. You can apply once you reach 61 years and 9 months of age. However, Social Security reduces your payment if you start collecting before your , or FRA. (FRA is 66 and 4 months for people born in 1956 and is for those born in 1960 or later.) Only then do you qualify for 100 percent of your basic monthly benefit, which is 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 . (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. : 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. : 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. (SSDI): No age requirement, but you must have spent some time in work in which you paid . The amount of time increases with age, but you may with less time in the workforce than you need to collect retirement benefits. You must also demonstrate that your medical condition 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 . 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 from the SSA's Office of the Inspector General.

Keep in mind

The question of when you can receive benefits is separate from a more important question: The answer is complicated and depends on your job situation, family circumstances, and financial and physical health. There is no minimum age for to receive benefits on the earnings record of a retired or deceased parent. These can begin at any time but in most circumstances end at age 18. who were financially dependent on a son or daughter who dies can collect survivor benefits from age 62. Updated October 28, 2022

More on Social Security Eligibility

Q& A Tool

Find the answers to the most common Social Security questions such as when to claim, how to maximize your retirement benefits and more. Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures

Close In the next 24 hours, you will receive an email to confirm your subscription to receive emails related to AARP volunteering. Once you confirm that subscription, you will regularly receive communications related to AARP volunteering. In the meantime, please feel free to search for ways to make a difference in your community at Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try again.
Share:
0 comments

Comments (0)

Leave a Comment

Minimum 10 characters required

* All fields are required. Comments are moderated before appearing.

No comments yet. Be the first to comment!