Early retirement You can get Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62. However, we’ll reduce your benefit if you retire before your full retirement age. For example, if you turn age 62 in 2021, your benefit would be about 29.2 percent lower than it would be at your full retirement age of 66 and 10 months.

How much is your Social Security reduced for early retirement?

In the case of early retirement, a benefit is reduced 5/9 of one percent for each month before normal retirement age, up to 36 months. If the number of months exceeds 36, then the benefit is further reduced 5/12 of one percent per month.

What happens to your Social Security benefits if you retire early?

That’s if they withheld some of your benefits during early retirement because you had work income that exceeded Social Security’s earnings limit. In this case, they recalculate your benefit at full retirement age to help you recoup those losses.

How old do you have to be to collect Social Security early?

If you take early Social Security, you start collecting retirement benefits before you reach full retirement age. That’s age 66 or 67, depending on the year you were born. You can start to collect Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62, but your monthly check will be lower than if you wait until your full retirement age.

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.

Is it better to take Social Security sooner or later?

If you’re in poor health, it might be better to start collecting your benefits sooner rather than later, but taking benefits earlier reduces your monthly amount. Your benefit increases by 8% each year you wait to collect past your full retirement age, up to age 70. Savvy investors may be able to beat that.