If you are at least 62 years of age and you wish to apply for retirement or spouse’s benefits, you can use our online retirement application to apply for one or both benefits. If you are divorced and your marriage lasted at least 10 years, you may be able to get benefits on your former spouse’s record.
Full Answer
Is 62 the best age to start drawing Social Security?
You can begin withdrawing from Social Security at age 62, but there are some good reasons to wait. Your benefits will be reduced until your full retirement age if you make more than the annual earnings limit. If your benefits won't be reduced, or if you don't have any other accounts to withdraw from, you might need to begin withdrawing at age 62.
What are the requirements to collect Social Security at 62?
- If you were born on January 1st, you should refer to the previous year.
- If you were born on the 1st of the month, we figure your benefit (and your full retirement age) as if your birthday was in the previous month. ...
- You must be at least 62 for the entire month to receive benefits.
- Percentages are approximate due to rounding.
Should you collect Social Security at age 62?
The earliest you can start Social Security benefits is age 62. However, just because you can start benefits does not mean that you should. Your monthly Social Security paycheck increases significantly for every month and year you delay starting, up until your full retirement age (around age 67).
What is deducted from social security checks at age 62?
- Your monthly benefit at 62 would be about $1,023 (a 30% reduction from $1,461).
- You miss 60 months of payouts. ...
- The monthly benefit you get if you delay to 67 is $1,461.
- Subtracting $1,023 from $1,461 gives you $428 -- the difference in monthly benefits that comes from delaying.
- Dividing $61,380 by $438 gives you 140.14. ...
How do I claim my Social Security at 62?
Call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, to apply by phone.
What is the average Social Security check at age 62?
$2,364At age 62: $2,364. At age 65: $2,993. At age 66: $3,240. At age 70: $4,194.
Can a 62 year old collect Social Security?
You can start receiving your Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62. However, you are entitled to full benefits when you reach your full retirement age. If you delay taking your benefits from your full retirement age up to age 70, your benefit amount will increase.
How long does it take to get first Social Security check after applying?
Once you have applied, it could take up to three months to receive your first benefit payment. Social Security benefits are paid monthly, starting in the month after the birthday at which you attain full retirement age (which is currently 66 and will gradually rise to 67 over the next several years).
Why retiring at 62 is a good idea?
Probably the biggest indicator that it's really ok to retire early is that your debts are paid off, or they're very close to it. Debt-free living, financial freedom, or whichever way you choose to refer it, means you've fulfilled all or most of your obligations, and you'll be under much less strain in the years ahead.
How many months in advance should you apply for Social Security benefits?
four monthsYou can apply up to four months before you want your retirement benefits to start. For example, if you turn 62 on December 2, you can start your benefits as early as December, and apply in August. Even if you are not ready to retire, you still should sign up for Medicare three months before your 65th birthday.
How do I apply for Social Security for the first time?
You can apply:Online; or.By calling our national toll-free service at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visiting your local Social Security office. ... If you do not live in the U.S. or one of its territories, you can also contact your nearest U.S. Social Security office, U.S. Embassy or consulate.
Can I get Medicare at age 62?
What Are the Age Requirements for Medicare? Medicare is health insurance coverage for people age 65 and older. Most people will not qualify for Medicare at age 62. At age 62, you may meet the requirements for early retirement but have not met the requirements for Medicare coverage.
Is it better to apply for Social Security in person or online?
While some may prefer to apply in person at their local Social Security office, an increasing number of retirees are finding it easier and more convenient to claim their benefits by retiring online at www.socialsecurity.gov.
What documents do I need for Social Security benefits?
Social SecurityYour Social Security card or a record of your number.Your original birth certificate, a copy certified by the issuing agency, or other proof of your age. ... If you were not born in the U.S., proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status.More items...
What do I need to know before applying for Social Security?
As you put together your own Social Security strategy, here are some things you should do before applying for benefits.Create a Social Security account. ... Verify that your earnings history is accurate. ... Understand your full retirement age. ... Estimate your retirement income streams. ... Tally up your probable retirement expenses.More items...
What is the FRA for Social Security?
The Social Security Administration has established a Full Retirement Age (FRA) of between 66 and 67 for most retirees. You can see the exact amount of your earned benefits by visiting the Social Security website. This online resource can also provide information on your FRA and the impact of claiming your Social Security benefits at various stages of your journey.
Is early retirement a dream?
Early retirement is a dream for many people. Social Security benefits can be an important way of achieving that dream. Understanding the application process and the consequences of early retirement on your Social Security benefits can help you make the most practical decisions about this source of income in retirement.
Does Social Security increase at age 62?
Applying for Social Security at age 62 not only affects the amount you receive in benefits. Cost-of-living adjustments, known as COLA, are based on your benefit amount, you will receive a smaller COLA increase than if you had waited until your FRA to apply for Social Security.
What is the maximum amount of retirement benefits for spouse?
The maximum benefit for the spouse is 50 percent of the benefit the worker would receive at full retirement age. The percent reduction for the spouse should be applied after the automatic 50 percent reduction. Percentages are approximate due to rounding.
What happens if you delay taking your full retirement?
If you delay taking your benefits from your full retirement age up to age 70, your benefit amount will increase. If you start receiving benefits early, your benefits are reduced a small percent for each month before your full retirement age.
Is it better to collect your retirement benefits before retirement?
There are advantages and disadvantages to taking your benefit before your full retirement age. The advantage is that you collect benefits for a longer period of time. The disadvantage is your benefit will be reduced. Each person's situation is different.
When do you get your Social Security check?
If you are due benefits for the month of December, you will receive your first check in January for December.
How long do you have to withdraw Social Security?
Sometimes, life changes occur after you submit your application. You have up to 12 months to withdraw your application, if you change your mind. You will be required to repay any benefits you’ve already received. Learn more about Withdrawing Your Social Security Retirement Application.
How old do you have to be to get unemployment?
You must be at least age 62 for the entire month to be eligible to receive benefits. If you were born on the first or second day of the month, you meet this requirement in the month of your 62nd birthday. If you were born on any other day of the month, you do not meet this requirement until the following month.
How much will Social Security be at 62?
Your monthly benefit check will permanently decrease by 20-30%. This chart illustrates how much an estimated $1,000 monthly benefit payment will be worth if you start taking it at age 62, relative to your Full Retirement Age.
Can you defer retirement benefits?
Conversely, you can also defer retirement benefits. This typically increases your annual payout by about 8% for each year you delay beyond your Full Retirement Age, to a maximum of age 70.
How much do you get if you claim FRA at 62?
If you were to claim early at 62, your benefits would be reduced by 30%, leaving you with $1,120 per month. But if you delay benefits until age 70, you'd receive your full benefit amount plus an extra 24%, or $1,984 per month.
How long do you have to work to get Social Security?
Most people become eligible for Social Security retirement benefits once they've earned income for 10 years, but you'll need to work for at least 35 years to receive the maximum benefit amount.
What happens if you exceed the maximum taxable earnings limit?
Once you surpass the maximum taxable earnings limit (which is the highest income that's subject to Social Security taxes), a higher income won't result in additional benefits. To earn this maximum benefit amount, then, you'll need to reach the maximum taxable earnings limit.
Ways to Apply
You can complete an application for Retirement, Spouse's, Medicare or Disability Benefits online.
Retirement or Spouse's Benefits
You can apply online for Retirement or spouse's benefits or continue an application you already started.
Disability Benefits
You can apply online for disability benefits or continue an application you already started.
Appeal a Disability Decision
If your application for disability benefits was denied recently for medical reasons, you can request an appeal online or continue working on an appeal you already started.
Medicare Benefits
You can apply online for Medicare or continue an application you already started.
Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Costs
You can apply online for Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits
If you want to apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), please read:
How old do you have to be to get spouse's Social Security?
To qualify for spouse’s benefits, you must be one of these: At least 62 years of age.
How old do you have to be to apply for retirement?
If you are at least 62 years of age and you wish to apply for retirement or spouse’s benefits, you can use our online retirement application to apply for one or both benefits.
When will my spouse receive my full retirement?
You will receive your full spouse’s benefit amount if you wait until you reach full retirement age to begin receiving benefits. You will also receive the full amount if you are caring for a child entitled to receive benefits on your spouse’s record who is younger than age 16 or disabled.
What happens if your spouse's retirement benefits are higher than your own?
If your benefits as a spouse are higher than your own retirement benefits, you will get a combination of benefits equaling the higher spouse benefit. Here is an example: Mary Ann qualifies for a retirement benefit of $250 and a spouse’s benefit of $400.
