When to Apply for Social Security Retirement Benefits

You're eligible to collect Social Security at age 62, but that's not always the best time to start taking it. You'll be penalized for taking Social Security before your full retirement age (66 or 67) and you can earn an even larger benefit if you wait until age 70 to start collecting.

When Can You File for Social Security?

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 62nd birthday. Typically, Social Security benefits are paid the month after they are due.

For example, if you turn 62 on December 15, then your first full month of eligibility is January, and your payment for that month will arrive in February. If you have already reached age 62 and met all other eligibility criteria, then you may begin collecting benefits in the same month as you apply if you specify, although your first payment would still not arrive until the following month.

Should You Wait Until Full Retirement Age to Apply for Social Security?

Receiving Social Security at age 62 means that you will receive a reduced payment compared with waiting until your full retirement age. Full retirement age is 66 for people born between 1943 and 1954, and phases up to age 67 for people born in 1960 or after.

If you were born in 1960 or later, you'll be penalized 30% for taking Social Security before full retirement age, and all reductions are permanent. If you delay taking your benefits past full retirement age, you receive an 8% increase for each full year that you do so, up until you reach 70, at which point the increases stop.

You can calculate your own full retirement age based on your birthday to help you consider how you can lock in the maximum amount of Social Security benefits.

The Application Process

The most convenient way to apply for Social Security benefits is through the online platform found on the Social Security Administration (SSA) website. The application itself takes about 10 to 30 minutes and can be saved at any point for future completion. This application can also be used to apply for Medicare.

To ensure a quick and easy application process, it is best to have all the necessary information on hand before beginning. This can include, but is not necessarily limited to, the birth and marriage dates of you and your spouse, your Social Security number, proof of citizenship, tax information, employment history, military records, and bank account information for direct deposit.

Sometimes there are requests for documents, including original birth certificates, marriage licenses, and tax returns. An agent will typically contact you if any clarification or additional documentation is needed. An agent may also let you know if you are eligible to receive more money through another person’s account, such as a spouse, and if anyone else is eligible to receive benefits under your account.

The Bottom Line

Applying for Social Security benefits is a fairly simple process. Applications can be submitted online or in person at your local Social Security office. It is generally recommended that you apply a few months in advance of when you would like to start receiving the checks. Depending on your situation and what documentation may be required, your application may be approved within the same month as when you apply.

Once you have completed your application and supplied all of the requested information, you will receive a receipt for your records and a confirmation number that you can use to check the status of your application online after submission. You can also follow up over the phone or in person at your local Social Security office.