Is it better to collect Social Security at 62 or 67?

Asked by: Prof. Norma Mante  |  Last update: September 23, 2025
Score: 5/5 (41 votes)

You can start receiving your Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62. However, you are entitled to full benefits only 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.

What is the #1 reason to take Social Security at 62?

Those facing financial emergencies, such as a layoff or debt, may benefit from accessing Social Security early. If you retire early and need extra income, Social Security benefits can provide supplemental funds to support your new lifestyle, hobbies or retirement activities.

What is the smartest age to collect Social Security?

You can start your retirement benefit at any point from age 62 up until age 70. Your benefit will be higher the longer you delay your start date. This adjustment is usually permanent. It sets the base for the benefits you'll get for the rest of your life.

Why do smart people take Social Security at 62?

  • The most obvious reason for taking ss benefits early is because you desperately need the money to live on, and have no other sources of income.
  • You have good reason to believe that you have a shorter life expectancy than your break even age (Some call this the ``cross over'' age.).

How much does Social Security pay at 62 vs 67?

For example, if your full retirement age is 67 and you elect to start benefits at age 62, the SSA will calculate your payments based on 60 months—a 20% reduction for the first 36 months (five-ninths of 1% times 36) and another 10% (five-twelfths of 1% times 24) for the remaining 24 months, cutting your monthly Social ...

Social Security at Age 62, 67, 70 | Pros and Cons of Each

35 related questions found

What does Suze Orman say about taking Social Security at 62?

If you haven't made plans to delay claiming your Social Security at that point, chances are you will just go ahead and start at 62. It takes planning to be able to delay starting to collect your benefit. Maybe working a bit longer, at least part-time.

When my husband dies, do I get his Social Security and mine?

If your spouse dies, do you get both Social Security benefits? You cannot claim your deceased spouse's benefits in addition to your own retirement benefits. Social Security only will pay one—survivor or retirement. If you qualify for both survivor and retirement benefits, you will receive whichever amount is higher.

What is the disadvantage of taking Social Security at 62?

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.

What is a good monthly retirement income?

The ideal monthly retirement income for a couple differs for everyone. It depends on your personal preferences, past accomplishments, and retirement plans. Some valuable perspective can be found in the 2022 US Census Bureau's median income for couples 65 and over: $76,490 annually or about $6,374 monthly.

How much money will I lose if I retire at 62 instead of 65?

A worker can choose to retire as early as age 62, but doing so may result in a reduction of as much as 30 percent. Starting to receive benefits after normal retirement age may result in larger benefits. With delayed retirement credits, a person can receive his or her largest benefit by retiring at age 70.

How do I get the $16728 Social Security bonus?

Have you heard about the Social Security $16,728 yearly bonus? There's really no “bonus” that retirees can collect. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a specific formula based on your lifetime earnings to determine your benefit amount.

What is the 5 year rule for Social Security?

The Social Security 5-year rule refers specifically to disability benefits. It requires that you must have worked five out of the last ten years immediately before your disability onset to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

What is the $1000 a month rule for retirement?

The $1,000 per month rule is designed to help you estimate the amount of savings required to generate a steady monthly income during retirement. According to this rule, for every $240,000 you save, you can withdraw $1,000 per month if you stick to a 5% annual withdrawal rate.

What is the break-even point if you take Social Security at 62?

At around age 78 and 8 months, you reach the break-even point, when your cumulative benefits from claiming at 67 surpass those you'd get by taking retirement at 62.

At what age can I collect 100% of my Social Security?

For anyone born 1960 or later, full retirement benefits are payable at age 67.

Will social security not be taxed in 2025?

Starting in 2025, tax Social Security benefits in a manner similar to private pension income. Phase out the lower-income thresholds during 2025-2044. Memorandum containing this or a similar provision: Warshawsky 2008.

How long will 100k last in retirement?

With $100,000 you should budget for a retirement income of around $5,000 to $8,000 on top of Social Security, depending on how you have invested your money. Much more than this will likely cause you to run out of money within 25 – 30 years, which is potentially within the lifespan of the average retiree.

When taking Social Security at 62 makes sense?

When it might make sense to take Social Security at 62. You need the money now. You have health issues that may shorten your life expectancy, or you don't expect to live past your break-even point. You're receiving early retirement from an employer and the benefits end at age 62.

At what age does Social Security stop doing reviews?

There is no set age at which reviews stop entirely, however, once you hit full retirement age, which varies but is usually between 66 and 67 for most, your SSDI benefits will automatically convert to retirement benefits, and those don't undergo continuing disability reviews.

What is the perfect retirement age?

Eligible workers can begin Medicare at age 65, making this an attractive retirement age for many people. Delaying retirement until age 70 can result in larger Social Security checks but less time to enjoy activities outside the workforce.

Can two wives collect Social Security from one husband?

Each survivor benefit can be up to 100% of your benefit. The amount may be reduced if the women start benefits before their own full retirement age, but they don't have to share — the amount isn't reduced because you've had more than one spouse.

What not to do when your spouse dies?

Top 10 Things Not to Do When Someone Dies
  1. 1 – DO NOT tell their bank. ...
  2. 2 – DO NOT wait to call Social Security. ...
  3. 3 – DO NOT wait to call their Pension. ...
  4. 4 – DO NOT tell the utility companies. ...
  5. 5 – DO NOT give away or promise any items to loved ones. ...
  6. 6 – DO NOT sell any of their personal assets. ...
  7. 7 – DO NOT drive their vehicles.

Who are the never beneficiaries of Social Security?

Ninety-five percent of never-beneficiaries are individuals whose earnings histories are insufficient to qualify for benefits. Late-arriving immigrants and infrequent workers comprise the vast majority of these insufficient earners.