In U.S. Social Security retirement benefits, the earliest age most workers can begin claiming benefits is age 62.
Claiming before a person’s full retirement age generally results in a permanently reduced monthly benefit. Full retirement age depends on birth year and is later than 62 for people born in more recent years. Delaying a claim beyond full retirement age can increase the monthly benefit until age 70.
Age 62 is therefore an eligibility milestone, not a universal recommendation. The best claiming decision can depend on health, life expectancy, household income, employment, taxes, and whether a spouse or survivor benefit is involved.
Social Security retirement benefits are funded primarily through payroll taxes and are administered by the U.S. Social Security Administration. The age-62 rule applies to retirement benefits; other Social Security programs have different eligibility rules.