- You can collect Social Security as early as age 62, but your benefits will be permanently reduced. 1
- The longer you can afford to wait after age 62 (up to 70), the larger the monthly benefit. 1
- Doing a breakeven analysis can help you determine when you would come out ahead by delaying benefits.
- Spouses can also claim benefits as early as age 62, based on their partner’s work record. 2
Full Answer
What is the earliest you can apply for Social Security?
There are three key ages when it comes to Social Security:
- Age 62: This is the earliest age you can begin to receive retirement benefits. Your monthly benefit will be permanently reduced.
- Age 66: This is currently “full retirement age” (FRA). ...
- Age 70: This is the latest age you want to file for benefits. ...
When is the optimal age to start collecting Social Security?
You can start taking it as early as age 62 (or earlier if you are a survivor of another Social Security claimant or on disability), wait until you've reached full retirement age or even until age 70. While there's no "correct" claiming age for everybody, the rule of thumb is that if you can afford to wait, delaying Social Security can pay off over a long retirement.
What is the best age to apply for Social Security?
from San Antonio recently wrote me: “I have read a lot about postponing Social Security until age 70. Have you ever calculated ... If you’re in that group you want to do it right. You want to apply some thoughtful math and probabilities to your ...
When should you start collecting Social Security?
You can receive benefits as early as age 62, but your monthly payments will be reduced by 25% to 30% from your full benefits, depending on the year you were born. Or you can delay receiving benefits until as late as age 70, and your monthly payments will increase by 8% for every year you wait past your full retirement age.
How far in advance should a person apply for Social Security?
four monthsYou should apply no later than the month in which you want your benefits to start. You can file up to four months before that, which gives Social Security ample time to process your application. As the minimum age to collect retirement benefits is 62, the earliest you can apply is when you reach 61 years and 9 months.
How long does it take to get your first Social Security check after you apply?
Benefit applications can take up to three months to process, so apply three months before your planned start date. If you are drawing spousal or survivor benefits on another person's earnings record, your payment date depends on that person's birthday and follows the schedule above.
Is it better to take Social Security at 62 or 67?
The short answer is yes. Retirees who begin collecting Social Security at 62 instead of at the full retirement age (67 for those born in 1960 or later) can expect their monthly benefits to be 30% lower. So, delaying claiming until 67 will result in a larger monthly check.
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.
At what age is Social Security no longer taxed?
At 65 to 67, depending on the year of your birth, you are at full retirement age and can get full Social Security retirement benefits tax-free.
What is the best month to start Social Security?
Individuals first become eligible to receive a benefit during the month after the month of their 62nd birthday. So, someone born in May becomes eligible in June. Since Social Security pays individuals a month behind, the person will receive the June benefit in July.
How much money can you have in the bank on Social Security retirement?
$2,000You can have up to $2,000 in cash or in the bank and still qualify for, or collect, SSI (Supplemental Security Income).
Can I draw Social Security at 62 and still work full time?
Can You Collect Social Security at 62 and Still Work? You can collect Social Security retirement benefits at age 62 and still work. If you earn over a certain amount, however, your benefits will be temporarily reduced until you reach full retirement age.
How do I retire at 62 with health insurance?
If you retire at 62, you'll need to make sure you can afford health insurance until age 65 when your Medicare benefits begin. 5 (If you have a disability, you can qualify early.) With the Affordable Care Act, you are guaranteed to get coverage even if you have a pre-existing condition.
What documents are needed when applying for Social Security?
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?
Before applying, be ready to provide your Social Security number and information about:Dates of current and previous marriages, and where you were married.U.S. military service dates and branches.Employer names and dates for the past two years.Self-employment income and type of business.More items...
Is it better to apply for Social Security online or in person?
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.
How long does it take to apply for Social Security?
The application itself takes about 10 to 30 minutes and can be saved at any point for future completion. In addition, this application can also be used to apply for Medicare. 6. It is generally recommended that you apply ...
When do you get your Social Security check?
The earliest you can apply for Social Security benefits is at age 61 and nine months, and you can expect to receive your first payment four months later—the month after your birthday. 1 Typically, Social Security benefits are paid the month after they are due, or must be specified.
How old do you have to be to get Social Security?
For Social Security income, the youngest age you can apply is 61 years and nine months old. You’d then receive your first Social Security check four months later—the month after your 62nd birthday. While it typically takes several weeks to process a new application, some may be approved in the same month that you apply.
Is Social Security open for appointment?
As of November 2020, all local Social Security offices are open by appointment only, and only for “dire need situations,” due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Can you calculate your full retirement age based on your birthday?
Every individual can calculate their own "full retirement age" based on their specific birthday, in order to consider locking in the maximum amount of Social Security benefits.
How long do you have to wait to get Medicare if you are 65?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) also cautions that even if you delay receiving Social Security benefits until after age 65, you might still need to apply for Medicare benefits within three months of turning 65 to avoid paying higher premiums for life for Medicare Part B and Part D.
How much is a month of benefits at 62?
If, for example, you’d get $1,500 a month starting at age 62 or $2,000 a month starting at age 66, you will have received roughly the same amount in total benefits by age 77 or so. At that point the higher monthly benefits you’d get as a result of waiting will begin to pay off.
How much extra insurance do you get at 70?
If you wait until you’re 70 to start claiming benefits, you’ll get an extra 8% per year , or, in total, 132% of your primary insurance amount ($2,640 per month in the example above) for the rest of your life.
How much is my unemployment check at 62?
In other words, you’ll get 25% less per month, and your check will be $1,500. 1 .
Can a spouse get Social Security if they don't work?
Spouses who don’t qualify for their own Social Security. Spouses who didn’t work at a paid job or didn’t earn enough credits to qualify for Social Security on their own are eligible to receive benefits starting at age 62 based on their spouse’s record.
Do marginal tax rates affect Social Security?
At today’s marginal tax rates, they may not have much of an impact on most people. Still, tax rates and income thresholds can change, so it’s worth remembering that you will lose less of your Social Security to taxes if you are in a lower marginal tax bracket when you begin to collect.
Is Social Security taxable?
Your Social Security benefits may be partially taxable if your combined income exceeds certain thresholds. Regardless of how much you make, the first 15% of your benefits are not taxed. 10
What does it mean to delay retirement benefits?
If you are the higher earner, delaying starting your retirement benefit means higher monthly benefits for the rest of your life and higher survivor protection for your spouse, if you die first.
Is it important to decide when to start receiving Social Security?
Choosing when to start receiving your Social Security retirement benefits is an important decision that affects your monthly benefit amount for the rest of your life. Your monthly retirement benefit will be higher if you delay claiming it.
Apply for Retirement Benefits
Starting your Social Security retirement benefits is a major step on your retirement journey. This page will guide you through the process of applying for retirement benefits when you’re ready to take that step. Our online application is a convenient way to apply on your own schedule, without an appointment.
Ready To Retire?
Before you apply, take time to review the basics, understand the process, and gather the documents you’ll need to complete an application.
When will Social Security increase?
It's important to understand that your Social Security retirement benefit rate would continue to increase for each month that you delay claiming your benefits up until the month you reach 70. The sooner that you start drawing your benefits prior to age 70, the lower your monthly rate will be. The best strategy for claiming your benefits depends ...
When will Social Security pay my first check?
Social Security pays a month back so the earliest you could receive your first check would be the following month. It's also possible your first check might be delayed further before it's processed but you'd get all your benefits due you beginning the month you applied once your application is fully processed.
How many years of Social Security are covered?
Social Security retirement benefits are based on an average of a person's highest 35 years of Social Security covered wage-indexed earnings, so additional years of earnings only increase a person's benefit rate if they're higher than one or more of the 35 years currently being used to calculate the person's benefit rate.
When can I start taking Social Security?
Eligibility for Social Security begins as early as the age of 62, which I think many of you know. What you probably aren’t as clear about is the fact that taking Social Security early, at age 62, will result in a monthly Social Security benefit that is a whopping 30 percent lower than if you waited until your full retirement age ...
How many people do not choose the best time to claim Social Security?
According to a new study from United Income, a staggering 96% of retirees do not choose the optimal time to claim Social Security benefits. The study asserted that 57% of retirees could build more wealth throughout their lifetimes if they waited until age 70 to claim benefits.
How much will Social Security increase at age 62?
You would receive just $1,750, per month, if you chose to receive Social Security at age 62. Your benefit would increase to $3,020, or so, if you waited until age 70 to claim your Social Security benefits. While your benefit amount increases every month that you wait, it’s important to keep in mind that you will be giving up several years ...
What is the maximum amount you can collect on Social Security in 2020?
In 2020, that limit is $48,600. That claw back provision will only apply to earnings before the month in which you reached the full Social Security retirement age. Keep in mind that Social Security benefits are taxable above certain income levels. That should also play into when you choose to begin receiving benefits.
How much can you deduct from your pension in 2020?
One dollar will be deducted from every $2 of income earned above $18,240 (2020 limits), if you haven’t reached full retirement age. In the year you reach full retirement age, $1 will be deducted from benefits for every $3 you earn above a different limit. In 2020, that limit is $48,600. That claw back provision will only apply to earnings ...
Will Social Security increase in 2020?
While your benefit amount increases every month that you wait, it’s important to keep in mind that you will be giving up several years of receiving Social Security. You should also be aware that Social Security benefits will be changing in six ways for 2020. MORE FROM FORBES ADVISOR.
Can you minimize taxes on Social Security?
With some proactive tax planning, you could likely minimize the taxes owed on Social Security benefits throughout your retirement.
How long does it take for Social Security to pay back?
In fact, the Social Security Administration will pay up to six months of retroactive benefits in a lump sum for benefits claimed after full retirement age (FRA), the catch being that your monthly benefit will be reduced.
How long does it take to short change a long term benefit?
Of course, short-changing the longer-term benefit by that amount would take about 15 years to make up… and the reduction of benefits long-term in favor of a short-term bonus could be detrimental.”.
What does POMS stand for in Social Security?
The Social Security Policy Operations Manual System (POMS, for short) specifically states that customer service representatives may "provide enough information so that claimants can make informed decisions, but do not give advice.".
Does the earnings limitation apply to spouse?
Also important to note, says Schreiber, is that the earnings limitation only applies to the earned income of the claimant and not that of the spouse, and the earnings limitation no longer applies once the claimant reaches FRA.