What is the best age to claim Social Security?

There is no single best age. Claiming at 62 gives a permanently smaller check; full retirement age (67 for those born 1960+) gives 100%; waiting to 70 adds about 8% per year in delayed credits. Health, savings, and marital status decide which is best for you.

How much less do you get at 62?

For someone with a full retirement age of 67, claiming at 62 reduces the monthly benefit by roughly 30%, permanently.

Is it worth waiting until 70?

For people in good health who can bridge the gap, yes — delaying to 70 can raise the benefit about 24% above the full retirement-age amount, and it increases a surviving spouse's benefit. Credits stop at 70.

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The basics

When to Claim Social Security: Age 62 vs 67 vs 70

September 1, 2026 · By Tim Miller · 3 min read

Ages 60s+ social security claiming age full retirement age 62 vs 70 delayed credits

The single biggest Social Security decision is when to start. You can claim as early as 62 or as late as 70, and the choice permanently changes your monthly benefit — by a large amount. There's no universally "right" age; it depends on your health, savings, and whether you're married.

How the age changes your check

Age 62 (earliest): you can start, but your benefit is permanently reduced — roughly 30% below your full amount for those with a full retirement age of 67.
Full retirement age (FRA): 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later. You get 100% of your earned benefit.
Age 70 (latest worth waiting for): delaying past FRA adds delayed retirement credits of about 8% per year, so waiting until 70 can raise your benefit by roughly 24% above your FRA amount. Credits stop at 70 — there's no reason to wait longer.

Check your own numbers with the official SSA estimate in your my Social Security account, and browse vetted claiming tools in our directory's Social Security tools.

When claiming early can make sense

Taking benefits at 62 isn't automatically wrong. It can fit if you need the income, have serious health concerns, or want to let tax-deferred investments keep compounding. Model how an earlier, smaller check interacts with your savings using our how much do you need to retire and retirement savings calculators.

When waiting usually wins

If you're in good health and can cover the gap from savings or work, delaying toward 70 buys the most valuable thing in retirement: a larger, inflation-adjusted, guaranteed income you can't outlive. For married couples, the higher earner delaying also raises the survivor benefit the surviving spouse keeps.

Don't forget taxes and Medicare

Part of your benefit may be taxable depending on your other income, and Medicare enrollment has its own timeline at 65 regardless of when you claim Social Security. See our guide to how Social Security retirement works.

Common questions

What is full retirement age?

67 for anyone born in 1960 or later; slightly earlier for those born before.

Does waiting past 70 help?

No. Delayed credits stop at 70, so there's no benefit to waiting longer.

Should married couples coordinate?

Yes — often the higher earner delays to maximize the survivor benefit, while the lower earner may claim earlier.

Sources

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