age 62
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.

What does it mean to be fully insured for Social Security?

For most Social Security benefits, such as retirement benefits, you need to be “fully insured,” which generally means you have 40 work credits, or 10 years worth of work.

When do you get your full Social Security benefits?

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. If you start receiving benefits early, your benefits are reduced a small percent for each month before your full retirement age.

What happens if you take social security past full retirement age?

You can then switch to taking your own full benefit at your full retirement age. You can also choose to delay your Social Security benefit past full retirement age until age 70. This will often make you eligible for delayed retirement credits, which increase your monthly benefit for the remainder of your life.

When does Social Security disability start and end?

Disability benefits are designed to supplement a person’s income during their working years if they suffer from a disability. Because of this, these Social Security benefits cannot be paid out after a person has reached full retirement age as determined by the government.

How many people receive Social Security benefits each month?

Nearly one in five Americans receives some form of benefit from Social Security. Almost 80 years after it’s initiation, Social Security remains a vital lifeline for large numbers of Americans. Nearly 40 million people receive retirement benefits with an average monthly benefit of $1,335.