When & how to claim Social Security
Claiming Social Security is the most consequential — and most permanent — decision in this whole process. There's no universal "right" age; the right age depends on your health, other income, marital status, and whether you're still working. Here's what actually drives that decision.
Compare your claiming ages
Enter your numbers below to see how much you'd receive claiming at different ages, and which age wins depending on how long you expect to collect. This runs entirely in your browser — nothing you type is sent anywhere.
| Claim age | Monthly benefit | Annual benefit | Total by your plan age |
|---|
01 Five steps to claiming with confidence
Every year you delay claiming past 62 (up to 70) permanently increases your monthly benefit. Claim early and you get a smaller check for more years; delay and you get a bigger check for fewer years. There's no single "correct" answer — it depends heavily on your health, family longevity, other income, and whether you're still working.
How much each age is worth (relative to your full benefit at FRA 67)
| Claim at age | % of full benefit |
|---|---|
| 62 | ~70% |
| 63 | ~75% |
| 64 | ~80% |
| 65 | ~86.7% |
| 66 | ~93.3% |
| 67 (FRA) | 100% |
| 68 | ~108% |
| 69 | ~116% |
| 70 | ~124% |
The reduction for claiming early is 5/9 of 1% per month for the first 36 months before FRA, then 5/12 of 1% per month beyond that. The increase for delaying past FRA is a flat 8% per year (2/3 of 1% per month), and it stops accruing at age 70 — there's no reason to wait past 70.
Spousal benefits
A spouse can receive up to 50% of the higher earner's Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) if the spouse claims at their own FRA. Claiming earlier than FRA reduces the spousal benefit too. If you qualify for both your own retirement benefit and a spousal benefit, Social Security generally pays your own benefit first, then tops it up to the higher spousal amount — you don't get both added together.
Divorced-spouse benefits
You can claim a spousal benefit on an ex-spouse's record if the marriage lasted at least 10 years, you're currently unmarried, and you're 62 or older. If you've been divorced at least 2 years, you can claim even if your ex hasn't filed yet.
Survivor benefits
A widow or widower can claim survivor benefits as early as age 60 (age 50 if disabled), at a reduced rate. A powerful, underused strategy: claim a reduced survivor benefit early and switch to your own (larger, delayed) retirement benefit later — or the reverse — since these are evaluated somewhat independently. This is a case where getting professional guidance is genuinely worth it, since the optimal sequencing depends on both benefit amounts.
If you claim Social Security before your FRA and keep working, benefits can be temporarily withheld once your earnings cross an annual limit. This is not a permanent loss — see the note below.
| Situation | 2026 annual limit | Withholding rate |
|---|---|---|
| Under FRA all year | $24,480 | $1 withheld per $2 over the limit |
| Reaching FRA this year | $65,160 (earnings before the month you hit FRA only) | $1 withheld per $3 over the limit |
| At FRA or later | No limit | No withholding |
Only wages, self-employment income, bonuses, and commissions count toward the earnings test — pensions, annuities, investment income, and interest do not.
Up to 85% of your Social Security benefit can be subject to federal income tax, depending on your "combined income" (your adjusted gross income + any tax-exempt interest + half of your Social Security benefit).
| Filing status | Combined income | % of benefit potentially taxable |
|---|---|---|
| Single | Under $25,000 | 0% |
| Single | $25,000 – $34,000 | Up to 50% |
| Single | Over $34,000 | Up to 85% |
| Married filing jointly | Under $32,000 | 0% |
| Married filing jointly | $32,000 – $44,000 | Up to 50% |
| Married filing jointly | Over $44,000 | Up to 85% |
Separately, some states also tax Social Security benefits — check your specific state's rules, since they vary widely and change periodically.
You can apply online at ssa.gov, by phone, or in person at a local Social Security office. Online is fastest for most people.
When to apply
Apply up to 4 months before you want benefits to start. Processing typically takes a few weeks.
What you'll need
- Social Security number and birth certificate (or other proof of age)
- W-2 forms or self-employment tax return for the prior year
- Bank account information for direct deposit
- Marriage certificate or divorce decree, if applying for spousal, divorced-spouse, or survivor benefits