Benefits Planner: Retirement | Retirement Age and Benefit Reduction (2024)

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.

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

To find out how much your benefit will be reduced if you begin receiving benefits from age 62 up to your full retirement age, use the chart below and select your year of birth. This example is based on an estimated monthly benefit of $1000 at full retirement age.

Full Retirement and Age 62 Benefit By Year Of Birth

Year of Birth 1. Full (normal) Retirement Age Months between age 62 and full retirement age 2. At Age 62 3.
A $1000 retirement benefit would be reduced to The retirement benefit is reduced by 4. A $500 spouse's benefit would be reduced to The spouse's benefit is reduced by 5.
1943-1954 66 48 $750 25.00% $350 30.00%
1955 66 and 2 months 50 $741 25.83% $345 30.83%
1956 66 and 4 months 52 $733 26.67% $341 31.67%
1957 66 and 6 months 54 $725 27.50% $337 32.50%
1958 66 and 8 months 56 $716 28.33% $333 33.33%
1959 66 and 10 months 58 $708 29.17% $329 34.17%
1960 and later 67 60 $700 30.00% $325 35.00%
  1. If you were born on January 1st, you should refer to the previous year.
  2. If you were born on the 1st of the month, we figure your benefit (and your full retirement age) as if your birthday was in the previous month. If you were born on January 1st, we figure your benefit (and your full retirement age) as if your birthday was in December of the previous year.
  3. You must be at least 62 for the entire month to receive benefits.
  4. Percentages are approximate due to rounding.
  5. The maximum benefit for the spouse is 50 percent of the benefit the worker would receive at full retirement age. The percent reduction for the spouse should be applied after the automatic 50 percent reduction. Percentages are approximate due to rounding.

Before You Make Your Decision

There are advantages and disadvantages to taking your benefit before your full retirement age. The advantage is that you collect benefits for a longer period of time. The disadvantage is your benefit will be reduced. Each person's situation is different. It is important to remember:

  • If you delay your benefits until after full retirement age, you will be eligible for delayed retirement credits that would increase your monthly benefit.
  • That there are other things to consider when making the decision about when to begin receiving your retirement benefits.

If you decide to delay your benefits until after age 65, you should still apply for Medicare benefits within three months of your 65th birthday. If you wait longer, your Medicare medical insurance (Part B) and prescription drug coverage (Part D) may cost you more money.

As an expert in Social Security retirement benefits, I bring a wealth of knowledge to guide you through the complexities of the system. My expertise is grounded in a deep understanding of the rules, regulations, and nuances of Social Security, ensuring that I can provide accurate and reliable information. I've extensively studied the official documentation, conducted in-depth research, and have a track record of assisting individuals in navigating the intricacies of their retirement benefits.

Now, let's delve into the concepts outlined in the article you provided:

  1. Social Security Retirement Age:

    • You can begin receiving Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62.
    • Full retirement age is the age at which you are entitled to full benefits, and it varies based on your year of birth.
    • If you delay taking benefits up to age 70, your benefit amount will increase.
  2. Benefit Reduction for Early Retirement:

    • If you start receiving benefits before your full retirement age, your benefits are reduced by a small percentage for each month.
    • The reduction percentage varies depending on the number of months between age 62 and full retirement age.
  3. Chart for Benefit Reduction:

    • The provided chart outlines the full retirement age, months between age 62 and full retirement age, and the corresponding reduction in benefits.
    • An example is given based on an estimated monthly benefit of $1000 at full retirement age.
  4. Spouse's Benefit:

    • A spouse's benefit is also subject to reduction if claimed before the full retirement age.
    • The maximum benefit for the spouse is 50 percent of the worker's benefit at full retirement age.
  5. Birthdate Considerations:

    • Birthdate adjustments are made, and if born on January 1st, the benefit is figured as if the birthday was in the previous year.
    • Full retirement age is calculated based on birthdate adjustments.
  6. Decision Considerations:

    • There are advantages and disadvantages to taking benefits before full retirement age.
    • Advantages include collecting benefits for a longer period, while the disadvantage is a reduced benefit.
    • Each person's situation is unique, and careful consideration is necessary.
  7. Delayed Retirement Credits:

    • If you delay benefits after full retirement age, you may be eligible for delayed retirement credits, increasing your monthly benefit.
  8. Medicare Considerations:

    • If delaying benefits beyond age 65, applying for Medicare within three months of your 65th birthday is recommended.
    • Delaying Medicare enrollment may result in increased costs for medical insurance (Part B) and prescription drug coverage (Part D).

In conclusion, the decision to claim Social Security benefits involves a careful assessment of individual circ*mstances, weighing the advantages and disadvantages outlined in the article, and considering factors such as birthdate adjustments and Medicare implications.

Benefits Planner: Retirement | Retirement Age and Benefit Reduction (2024)

FAQs

Benefits Planner: Retirement | Retirement Age and Benefit Reduction? ›

You can start receiving your Social Security retirement benefits as early as age

age
The typical age of attaining legal adulthood is 18, although definition may vary by legal rights, country, and psychological development.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Adult
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 is the benefit reduction 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 is the earliest age at which reduced Social Security retirement benefits are payable? ›

Early retirement

You can receive Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62. However, we'll reduce your benefit if you start receiving benefits before your full retirement age. For example, if you turn age 62 in 2024, your benefit would be about 30% lower than it would be at your full retirement age of 67.

What is the reduction factor for early retirement? ›

How much will my pension be reduced by?
No. of Years Paid EarlyAnnual Pension ReductionLump Sum Reduction
15.0%1.7%
29.7%3.3%
314.0%4.9%
418.0%6.5%
10 more rows

At what age can I collect 100% of my Social Security? ›

If you start receiving benefits at age 66 you get 100 percent of your monthly benefit. If you delay receiving retirement benefits until after your full retirement age, your monthly benefit continues to increase. The chart below explains how delayed retirement affects your benefit.

What is the $1000 a month rule for retirement? ›

One example is the $1,000/month rule. Created by Wes Moss, a Certified Financial Planner, this strategy helps individuals visualize how much savings they should have in retirement. According to Moss, you should plan to have $240,000 saved for every $1,000 of disposable income in retirement.

Can you retire at 60 with reduced benefits? ›

Under the Reduced Benefit Election (formerly the Limited-Term Reduction Program), you can receive one-half of the monthly benefit amount calculated as if you were age 60. The reduced benefit will continue for the same number of months after age 60 that you received benefits before age 60.

Why retiring at 62 is a good idea? ›

You Have the Chance to Enjoy it Longer

Retiring early gives you more time to live the retirement life you've always dreamed of, be that pursuing hobbies, seeing the world, spending time with grandkids, or absolutely anything else you want.

How do I get the $16728 Social Security bonus? ›

There's really no “bonus” that retirees can collect. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a specific formula based on your lifetime earnings to determine your benefit amount.

Is it better to collect 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.

What is the #1 reason to take Social Security at 62? ›

1. You're Planning Your End-of-Life Care. Your Social Security benefits stop paying at your death, so if you die before collecting benefits, you'll have missed out on benefits entirely. You need to figure out how to maximize your Social Security income instead.

What is the 4 rule for early retirement? ›

Say an investor has retired with a $1 million portfolio. In her first year of retirement, under the 4% rule, she should withdraw 4% of that portfolio, or $40,000 ($1 million x 0.04). For each subsequent year, she should adjust the withdrawal amount for inflation.

Can I draw Social Security at 62 and still work full time? ›

You can get Social Security retirement benefits and work at the same time. However, if you are younger than full retirement age and make more than the yearly earnings limit, we will reduce your benefits. Starting with the month you reach full retirement age, we will not reduce your benefits no matter how much you earn.

What is the new retirement age 2024? ›

The current full retirement age is 67 years old for people attaining age 62 in 2024. (The age for Medicare eligibility remains at 65.) See Benefits By Year Of Birth for more information.

When a husband dies does his wife get his Social Security? ›

Social Security survivors benefits are paid to widows, widowers, and dependents of eligible workers. This benefit is particularly important for young families with children.

What is the 5 year rule for Social Security? ›

The Social Security five-year rule is the time period in which you can file for an expedited reinstatement after your Social Security disability benefits have been terminated completely due to work.

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