The average age to start Social Security benefits in the United States is now approximately 65.2 years old, according to 2023 data from the Social Security Administration. That number has climbed steadily over the past two decades — up from roughly 63.8 for men and 64.0 for women back in 1998 — reflecting a broad shift in how Americans think about retirement timing and financial security. For someone turning 62 this year and weighing whether to file now or wait, the difference is stark: claiming at 62 nets you about $1,424 per month on average, while holding out until 70 pushes that figure to around $2,275 per month — a gap of more than $10,200 per year.
Despite that financial incentive to delay, more than one in five new retirees still files at the earliest eligible age of 62. The decision is rarely simple. Health concerns, job loss, caregiving responsibilities, and personal savings all factor in, and what works for one household can be disastrous for another. This article breaks down the most popular claiming ages, how the trend toward later filing has reshaped the landscape, what full retirement age means in 2026, and the real dollar tradeoffs between claiming early and waiting.
Table of Contents
- What Is the Average Age Americans Start Collecting Social Security Benefits?
- Most Popular Ages to Claim Social Security — and Why They Matter
- Full Retirement Age in 2026 and How It Affects Your Benefit
- Claiming at 62 vs. 70 — The Real Dollar Tradeoff
- Common Mistakes and Limitations When Choosing a Claiming Age
- How the 2026 COLA and Policy Changes Affect Claiming Decisions
- The Trend Toward Later Claiming — and What Comes Next
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Average Age Americans Start Collecting Social Security Benefits?
As of 2023, the weighted average claiming age for newly retired workers stands at about 65.2 years for both men and women combined. That single number masks a wide spread of individual choices, but it tells an important story: Americans are waiting longer than they used to. In 1998, the average was more than a full year younger, and the majority of new claimants — 57 percent — filed the moment they turned 62. By 2022, the share claiming at 62 had fallen to 29 percent, a dramatic decline that suggests more workers are either able or willing to hold off.
The shift hasn’t been uniform across income levels. Higher earners, who tend to have more savings and better health, are more likely to delay benefits into their mid-to-late 60s. Lower-income workers, by contrast, are often pushed into early claiming by job loss, disability, or the simple fact that they need the money now. A 63-year-old warehouse worker whose knees are failing faces a very different calculus than a 63-year-old consultant who can keep billing clients from a home office. The average tells you where the country is heading; it does not tell you where you should land.
Most Popular Ages to Claim Social Security — and Why They Matter
Age 62 remains the single most common claiming age, even as its dominance has faded. In 2022, about 22.9 percent of men and 24.5 percent of women began collecting at 62. Age 65 drew roughly 13.3 percent of men and 13.4 percent of women, likely reflecting its historical association with Medicare eligibility and the old full retirement age. At the other end, only about 4 percent of Americans wait until 70, which is the age at which delayed retirement credits stop accumulating and benefits max out. The clustering at 62 deserves scrutiny.
Some of those early filers are making a calculated decision — perhaps they have a shorter life expectancy, a spouse with a strong benefit, or enough savings that the reduced check is supplementary income rather than a lifeline. But research consistently shows that many early claimers would have been better off waiting, particularly those who live into their 80s and beyond. However, if you have no other income sources and cannot work, claiming at 62 is not a failure of planning — it is the system working as intended. The program was designed with early access precisely because not everyone can wait. The share of Americans claiming before full retirement age has dropped from a strong majority to 61 percent by 2022, while the share claiming after full retirement age more than doubled, rising from 9 percent in 1998 to 23 percent in 2022. That trend suggests growing awareness of the financial rewards of patience, though it may also reflect that more people are simply working longer out of necessity.
Full Retirement Age in 2026 and How It Affects Your Benefit
Full retirement age — the age at which you receive 100 percent of your calculated benefit with no reduction — is 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later. In November 2026, the FRA permanently reaches 67, completing a 42-year legislative phase-in that began with the 1983 social Security reforms. If you were born before 1960, your FRA falls somewhere between 66 and 67, depending on your birth year. This matters because every month you claim before your FRA reduces your benefit permanently. Filing at 62 when your FRA is 67 means accepting a benefit that is roughly 30 percent lower than what you would receive at 67. That reduction does not go away when you hit 67 — it sticks with you for life, and it applies to any cost-of-living adjustments as well.
Consider a worker whose full benefit at 67 would be $2,000 per month. Claiming at 62 drops that to approximately $1,400. Over a 20-year retirement, the cumulative difference runs well into six figures. On the other side, delaying past your FRA earns you delayed retirement credits of 8 percent per year until age 70. That same $2,000 benefit at 67 becomes roughly $2,480 at 70. There is no additional credit for waiting past 70, so there is no financial reason to delay beyond that point.
Claiming at 62 vs. 70 — The Real Dollar Tradeoff
The average monthly benefit at age 62 is approximately $1,424, compared to about $2,275 at age 70. That $851 monthly gap — roughly $10,200 per year — compounds over time. Someone who claims at 62 starts collecting eight years earlier, which means they receive checks for a longer period. The breakeven point, where the total dollars received by a late claimer overtake an early claimer, typically falls somewhere around age 78 to 80, depending on the benefit amount and cost-of-living adjustments. Here is where the comparison gets personal. If you claim at 62 and invest the money wisely, the early payments could theoretically grow enough to offset the smaller checks.
But most retirees do not invest their Social Security — they spend it on rent, groceries, and medical bills. For the average retiree who lives to 85, delaying to 70 produces significantly more lifetime income. For someone who dies at 72, early claiming was clearly the better financial move. The trouble is that no one knows which scenario will play out. As of February 2026, the overall average monthly retired-worker benefit was $2,076.41, boosted by a 2.5 percent cost-of-living adjustment that took effect in January 2026. That COLA applies to all current recipients regardless of when they claimed, but it compounds on a larger base if you delayed — another reason the gap between early and late claimers widens over time.
Common Mistakes and Limitations When Choosing a Claiming Age
One of the most frequent errors is treating the claiming decision in isolation, without considering a spouse’s benefit. In a married couple, the higher earner’s decision to delay can protect the surviving spouse, who will eventually step into the larger benefit. If the higher earner claims at 62 and dies first, the surviving spouse is locked into that reduced amount for the rest of their life. This is especially consequential for women, who statistically live longer and are more likely to be the surviving spouse. Another limitation worth noting: the average statistics cited throughout this article describe trends, not prescriptions.
The fact that the average claiming age is 65.2 does not mean 65 is optimal for you. Workers with physically demanding jobs, chronic health conditions, or inadequate savings may be entirely rational in claiming at 62. Meanwhile, healthy workers with pensions, 401(k) balances, and other income streams might find that waiting until 70 adds tens of thousands of dollars in lifetime benefits. Be wary of online calculators that assume a fixed rate of return or a specific lifespan. These tools are useful starting points, but they cannot account for inflation surprises, changes in tax law, or the possibility that you will need long-term care. The decision is financial, but it is also deeply personal, and no spreadsheet captures the peace of mind that comes with a larger guaranteed monthly check in your 80s.
How the 2026 COLA and Policy Changes Affect Claiming Decisions
The 2.5 percent cost-of-living adjustment that took effect in January 2026 is a reminder that Social Security benefits are not static. Every year, the SSA adjusts payments based on inflation, which means the real value of your benefit is somewhat protected over time — though many retirees argue that the Consumer Price Index used for COLA calculations does not adequately reflect the rising cost of healthcare and housing. For someone claiming in 2026, the COLA environment matters because higher adjustments in early retirement years compound favorably over a long payout period.
The permanent arrival of a full retirement age of 67 in November 2026 also closes a chapter. Future legislative changes — whether raising the FRA further, adjusting the benefit formula, or modifying payroll taxes — will shape the program for the next generation. For current and near-retirees, though, the rules are set: 62 is the floor, 67 is full, and 70 is the ceiling.
The Trend Toward Later Claiming — and What Comes Next
The long-term data is clear: Americans are claiming later than they did a generation ago. The drop from 57 percent claiming at 62 in 1998 to 29 percent in 2022, the doubling of post-FRA claims from 9 percent to 23 percent, and the rise in average claiming age from under 64 to over 65 all point in the same direction. Better financial literacy, longer working lives, improved health in the 60s, and the shift from pensions to 401(k) plans — which do not provide guaranteed income — have all pushed workers to lean more heavily on a larger Social Security check.
Whether that trend continues depends on factors that are difficult to predict. If automation displaces older workers at higher rates, early claiming could rise again. If healthcare costs keep climbing faster than wages, more people may need early benefits to cover insurance premiums in the gap between retirement and Medicare eligibility at 65. For now, the direction is toward patience, and the data consistently rewards it for those who can afford to wait.
Conclusion
The average age to start Social Security benefits has risen to 65.2 years, and the trend toward later claiming shows no sign of reversing. The financial math favors waiting — an average benefit of $2,275 at age 70 versus $1,424 at age 62 is a powerful argument for patience. But the right age to claim depends on your health, your savings, your spouse’s situation, and whether you have other income to bridge the gap.
There is no universally correct answer, which is exactly why the average claiming age is just an average. Review your Social Security statement, consider your household’s full financial picture, and if the decision feels overwhelming, a fee-only financial advisor can help you model scenarios specific to your circumstances. The stakes — potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars over a lifetime — justify the effort.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the earliest age you can start Social Security retirement benefits?
The earliest age is 62. However, claiming at 62 permanently reduces your benefit by up to 30 percent compared to waiting until your full retirement age of 67. In 2022, about 22.9 percent of men and 24.5 percent of women still chose to file at this earliest eligible age.
How much more do you get by waiting until 70 to claim Social Security?
The average monthly benefit at 70 is approximately $2,275, compared to about $1,424 at age 62. That is roughly $851 more per month, or about $10,200 more per year. Delayed retirement credits of 8 percent per year between your full retirement age and 70 account for this increase.
What is the full retirement age for Social Security in 2026?
The full retirement age is 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later. In November 2026, the FRA permanently reaches 67, completing a phase-in that began with legislation passed in 1983.
What percentage of Americans wait until 70 to claim Social Security?
Only about 4 percent of Americans wait until 70 to begin collecting benefits, despite the fact that age 70 produces the maximum possible monthly payment.
What is the average Social Security benefit in 2026?
As of February 2026, the average monthly retired-worker benefit was $2,076.41. A 2.5 percent cost-of-living adjustment took effect in January 2026, increasing benefits for all current recipients.
Is it better to take Social Security early or wait?
It depends on your individual circumstances. If you are in good health, have other income sources, and can afford to wait, delaying generally produces more lifetime income — particularly if you live past your late 70s. However, if you have health concerns, no other income, or need the money immediately, claiming at 62 is a reasonable choice. For married couples, the higher earner’s decision to delay can also protect the surviving spouse.