Do my social security benefits increase each month after 62

If you're eligible for Social Security benefits, you'll have a choice of when to start collecting them: early (as soon as age 62), at your full or normal retirement age (66 to 67, depending on the year of your birth), or late (up to age 70). This article explains the pros and cons of claiming your Social Security benefits early.

Key Takeaways

  • Americans have a choice in when to start taking their Social Security benefits.
  • Individuals who opt to take their benefits early can do so as soon as 62.
  • The full or normal retirement age is between 66 and 67, depending on the year of your birth.
  • Taking your benefits early means that they will be permanently reduced.
  • You can also wait past full retirement age, up to age 70, in return for an even larger benefit.

Taking Social Security Early: An Overview

The Social Security Administration (SSA) calculates your monthly benefit based on several factors, including how much you've paid into the system over the years and when you decide to start collecting benefits. If you claim benefits at your full or normal retirement age, as Social Security defines it (see table below), you'll receive your full benefit.

But you can also start claiming as early as age 62, in return for a permanently reduced benefit.

How Social Security Benefits Are Reduced at Age 62

Year of Birth

Full Retirement Age
Reduction at Age 62

1943–1954

66
25.00%

1955

66 and 2 months
25.83%

1956

66 and 4 months
26.67%

1957

66 and 6 months
27.50%

1958

66 and 8 months
28.33%

1959

66 and 10 months
29.17%

1960 and later

67
30.00%
Source: Social Security Administration

On the other hand, if you wait past your full retirement age to collect benefits, you'll receive credits for each month you delay, up to age 70. These credits increase your monthly payment by two-thirds of 1% for each month that you wait—or 8% a year.

Which option is right for you? Here are some advantages and disadvantages to consider if you're weighing whether to claim your benefits early.

Advantages of Taking Social Security Early

There are a number of reasons you might consider taking Social Security benefits before you reach full retirement age.

1. You Need the Money Now

Many Americans claim their Social Security benefits early for a simple reason: They need the money to cover their everyday living expenses. During the recession years of 2008 to 2009, for example, close to 36% of eligible men and 39% of eligible women started claiming benefits at age 62.

2. You Want the Money Now

Even if you don't need your benefits early to support yourself, you may have other reasons for wanting to take them as soon as possible.

Some people are concerned that Social Security may be unable to meet all of its obligations in the future, so they might as well get their benefits now. Others believe they could do better by collecting benefits and investing that money rather than leaving it in the government's hands.

That said, you would have to be a skilled (or lucky) investor to beat the 6% to 8% guaranteed annual return on your money that Social Security offers to those who wait until full retirement age or later.

3. You Fear You Won't Be Around To Collect Later

If you don't expect to live long enough to profit from delaying your benefits, your wisest course may be to take them sooner rather than later. Even if you were to receive a much bigger benefit by claiming at age 70, you could be well into your 80s by the time you'd come out ahead in terms of the total benefits you've received. Financial planners refer to this as your breakeven age.

Disadvantages of Taking Social Security Early

Of course, claiming your benefits early also has some downsides.

1. Your Benefits Are Permanently Reduced

As we've mentioned, claiming your benefits early means they will be reduced on a permanent basis. For example, as the table above illustrates, someone born in the 1960s or later who takes their benefits starting at age 62 will get 30% less each month for the rest of their lives than if they'd waited until their full retirement age of 67.

2. Your Cost-of-Living Adjustments Will Be Smaller

In addition to receiving a smaller monthly benefit than if you'd waited until full retirement age, you'll get less on a dollar basis from any future Social Security cost-of-living adjustments (COLA). Beneficiaries are slated to receive an 8.7% increase in 2023 (the increase was 5.9% in 2022). Someone born between 1943 and 1954 who currently receives a full monthly benefit of $2,000, for example, will get an extra $174 each month.

If that same beneficiary started taking Social Security at age 62, their benefit would have been reduced by 25%, to a current $1,500, and they'd get a COLA of just $130.50 a month in 2023. And, because of the effects of compounding, the difference between the two benefits will continue to widen year after year.

3. You'll Be Penalized if You Work

Before you reach full retirement age, any money you earn from a job can affect your Social Security benefits. In 2023, Social Security will deduct $1 from your benefits for each $2 you earn above $21,240 ($19,560 in 2021). If you turn full retirement age in 2023, it will deduct $1 from your benefits for each $3 you earn above $56,520 ($51,960 in 2022) until your birthday month. Although you will get the money back later after you reach full retirement age, you'll have that much less to spend in the meantime.

Special Considerations

What if you claim benefits early but then regret it? In some circumstances, the Social Security Administration offers the opportunity for a do-over.

In a process called a withdrawal, you can cancel your application for up to 12 months after you became entitled to retirement benefits. You will also have to repay any Social Security benefits you received, including any money that was withheld from your benefits to pay Medicare premiums.

After withdrawing your application you can reapply for benefits later, at a time of your choosing. Note that you can only do this once in your lifetime.

How Do I Know When I'm Eligible for Social Security?

To be eligible for Social Security retirement benefits you must generally be at least age 62 and have earned at least 40 Social Security credits. Typically that means you've worked and paid into the system for at least 10 years. (The maximum number of credits you can earn in a year is four). Spouses can also be eligible for benefits based on their spouse's work record.

Can I Collect Social Security Retirement Benefits if I'm Still Working?

Yes, you can work and collect Social Security benefits at the same time; however, your benefits may be reduced temporarily if you haven't reached your full retirement age.

Can I Get Medicare Early If I Take Social Security Early?

No, claiming Social Security early won't affect your eligibility for Medicare. The eligibility age for Medicare is 65, regardless of when you start collecting Social Security.

The Bottom Line

You can begin collecting your Social Security benefits as early as age 62, but you'll get smaller monthly payments for the rest of your life if you do. Even so, claiming benefits early can be a sensible choice for people in certain circumstances.

How much does ss increase each month?

Past your FRA, you earn delayed retirement credits that boost your eventual benefit by 2/3 of 1 percent for each month you wait to claim Social Security, until you hit 70.

Does Social Security increase if you retire at 62?

Social Security benefits will be reduced by 25% for a person who retires at 62 whose full retirement age is 66 (born 1943-1954). Social Security benefits will be reduced by 30% for a person who retires at 62 whose full retirement age is 67 (born in 1960 or later).

What is the maximum Social Security benefit at 62?

The maximum benefit depends on the age you retire. For example, if you retire at full retirement age in 2022, your maximum benefit would be $3,345. However, if you retire at age 62 in 2022, your maximum benefit would be $2,364. If you retire at age 70 in 2022, your maximum benefit would be $4,194.

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

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.