The choice of when you start receiving your monthly retirement benefits from Social Security is a personal one and there is no right answer or one-size-fits-all all approach.
Jack Myers with Social Security indicates you can start as early as age 62 but if you collect before your full retirement age, your benefit will be permanently reduced and you will be subject to an earnings limit ($23,400 in 2025) if you choose to keep working while receiving benefits.
According to Myers, you can wait until your full retirement age at which point you will get 100% of your benefit and not be subject to an earnings limit if still working. You can also choose to delay your benefit beyond full retirement age to increase it at a rate of 8% per year up to age 70.
You can apply online at www.ssa.gov/apply or you can make an appointment by calling 800-772-1213 or finding your local office at: www.ssa.gov/locator.
