What Happens When You Claim Social Security at 60, 65, or 70

You cannot claim Social Security at age 60—the earliest you can file is age 62, though waiting longer can significantly increase your monthly benefit.

You cannot claim Social Security at age 60—the earliest you can file is age 62, though waiting longer can significantly increase your monthly benefit.

Waiting until age 70 to claim Social Security will give you approximately $26,544 more per year compared to claiming at your full retirement age of 67.

The best age to claim Social Security depends on your financial needs, life expectancy, and health—but the numbers tell a clear story.

The answer depends on your health, finances, and longevity expectations. Claiming Social Security at 62 gives you money now but permanently reduces your...

When you claim Social Security at 62, 67, or 70 makes an enormous difference in your monthly payment.

If you wait from age 62 to age 70 to claim Social Security, your monthly benefit could increase from $2,969 to $5,181 at maximum—a difference of $2,212...

If you delay Social Security benefits past your full retirement age, your monthly check grows by 8 percent for every year you wait, up to age 70.

Starting Social Security at 62 means accepting a permanent 30% reduction in your monthly benefit — and for many people, that tradeoff is absolutely worth...

Most people don't wait until full retirement age to claim Social Security because they either need the money now, fear the program won't be there later,...

Only about 10 percent of Americans wait until age 70 to claim Social Security benefits. That figure comes from the 2023 Schroders U.S.