How claiming age changes your check
Social Security pays your full benefit at your full retirement age, which is between 66 and 67 for most people working today. You can start as early as 62 or as late as 70.
- Starting early lowers your check for life. The cut is 5/9 of 1% for each of the first 36 months before full retirement age, and 5/12 of 1% for each month beyond that. If your full retirement age is 67, starting at 62 means a check about 30% smaller.
- Waiting past full retirement age earns "delayed retirement credits" of 2/3 of 1% for each month you wait, which is 8% a year. If your full retirement age is 67, waiting to 70 means a check 24% bigger. The credits stop at 70, so there is no reason to wait longer.
Full retirement age by birth year
| Year you were born | 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 you were born on January 1, use the year before. Social Security considers you to reach an age on the day before your birthday.
Things to think about before you decide
Your health and family history
The break-even age above is the key number. If you expect to live well past it, waiting usually means more money over your lifetime. If you have serious health concerns, starting earlier can make sense.
Whether you're married
If you are the higher earner, your check also sets the survivor benefit your spouse would receive after you die. Waiting can protect a spouse who is likely to outlive you. Spousal and survivor rules are complicated, so check them with Social Security.
Whether you're still working
If you start benefits before full retirement age and keep working, Social Security may hold back part of your benefit if your earnings go over a yearly limit. The money isn't lost. Your check is raised later to account for it. Once you reach full retirement age, the limit no longer applies.
Medicare is separate
Medicare eligibility starts at 65 no matter when you claim Social Security. If you aren't collecting Social Security by then, you usually need to sign up for Medicare yourself. Missing your enrollment window can mean late penalties.
Other savings
Some people use savings to cover the years between retiring and claiming so they can lock in a bigger check for life. Others need the income right away. Either is a reasonable choice.
Common questions
Where do I find my benefit amount?
Sign in to your account at ssa.gov/myaccount and look at your Social Security Statement. It lists your estimated monthly benefit at different ages, including your full retirement age.
Do these numbers include cost-of-living raises?
No. We show everything in today's dollars so the ages are easy to compare. Actual benefits are raised most years for inflation, which makes the larger, later checks grow too.
Can I change my mind after I start?
Within 12 months of starting, you can withdraw your application once, but you must repay what you received. After full retirement age, you can also suspend benefits to earn delayed credits.
Is this calculator official?
No. It uses the published Social Security formulas for reducing and increasing benefits, but it is an estimate for planning. Your official numbers come from the Social Security Administration.
Sources
- SSA.gov: Retirement age and benefit reduction
- SSA.gov: Delayed retirement credits
- SSA.gov: Get your Social Security Statement (my Social Security)
We check this tool against these official sources. Last checked October 2026. Spotted a problem? Let us know.