Individuals can choose to collect retirement benefits as early as age 62 or as late as age 70. For those who elect to start benefits before full retirement age, a permanent reduction applies depending on how early benefits are collected.
The right time for you to start taking Social Security depends on factors like your health, life expectancy, spousal benefits, income needs, and retirement goals. While there’s no right or wrong answer of when to start claiming your benefits, there’s a lot to consider. You can claim Social Security as early as age 62, but your monthly benefit will be permanently reduced. If you choose to wait until full retirement age at age 66 or 67 (depending on your birth year) you would receive full benefits. If you wait until age 70, you’ll receive the highest possible payout.