Is it better to get Social Security at 62 or 65?

If you claim Social Security at age 62, rather than wait until your full retirement age (FRA), you can expect a 30% reduction in monthly benefits. For every year you delay claiming Social Security past your FRA up to age 70, you get an 8% increase in your benefit.
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Do you get more Social Security at 65 than 62?

Social Security benefits are reduced by 20% for a person who retires at 62 whose full retirement age is 65 (born 1937 or earlier). Social Security benefits will be reduced by 205/6% for a person whose full retirement age is 65 and 2 months (retires at 62 in 2000).
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Is it better to retire at 65 or 62?

The short answer is yes. Retirees who begin collecting Social Security at 62 instead of at the full retirement age (67 for those born in 1960 or later) can expect their monthly benefits to be 30% lower. So, delaying claiming until 67 will result in a larger monthly check.
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Is it smart to take your Social Security at 62?

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.
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What is the best age to retire in order to maximize Social Security benefits?

Age 62 (Early Retirement)

And, for some retirees, this is the best choice. If you have few other sources of income, for example, and Social Security will put food on the table, then you might have little choice than to claim early. Others choose age 62 because they want to get checks for as long as possible.
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Social Security at 62 vs 65



What is the average Social Security check at age 62?

At age 62: $2,364. At age 65: $2,993. At age 66: $3,240. At age 70: $4,194.
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What happens if you stop working at 62 but don't collect until full retirement age?

What happens if you stop working at 62 but don't collect until full retirement age? You will receive the full retirement age benefit based on your top 35 working years — adjusted for COLA.
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Why retiring at 62 is a good idea?

Probably the biggest indicator that it's really ok to retire early is that your debts are paid off, or they're very close to it. Debt-free living, financial freedom, or whichever way you choose to refer it, means you've fulfilled all or most of your obligations, and you'll be under much less strain in the years ahead.
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What is the best month to start Social Security?

Individuals first become eligible to receive a benefit during the month after the month of their 62nd birthday. So, someone born in May becomes eligible in June. Since Social Security pays individuals a month behind, the person will receive the June benefit in July.
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How much does Social Security increase each year after 62?

If you claim Social Security at age 62, rather than wait until your full retirement age (FRA), you can expect a 30% reduction in monthly benefits. For every year you delay claiming Social Security past your FRA up to age 70, you get an 8% increase in your benefit.
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What is the best age for retirement?

41-45 years old is the optimum retirement age range because you've put in your dues and still have enough energy to do something new.
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At what age do most people retire?

If you're just curious about the average age people retire, the answer is simple: 62. We get why you'd want to know what age most people retire. You can use that as a benchmark and work backwards to figure out how much time you have left to work and save until you can think about retiring.
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Does it make sense to retire at 62?

If you reach full retirement age in 2022, your benefits go down by $1 for every $3 your income exceeds $51,960 prior to reaching full retirement age. If you're working part-time to help make ends meet, taking Social Security at 62 might make sense.
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Can I draw Social Security at 62 and still work full time?

You can get Social Security retirement or survivors benefits and work at the same time. But, if you're younger than full retirement age, and earn more than certain amounts, your benefits will be reduced.
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Is it better to take Social Security early or later?

You may be eligible to collect Social Security as early as 62, but waiting until age 70 yields greater benefits for most people.
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How much will Social Security pay me at 65?

If you start collecting your benefits at age 65 you could receive approximately $33,773 per year or $2,814 per month.
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What do I need to know before signing up for Social Security?

7 Things You Should Do Before Claiming Social Security
  1. Create a Social Security account. ...
  2. Verify that your earnings history is accurate. ...
  3. Understand your full retirement age. ...
  4. Estimate your retirement income streams. ...
  5. Tally up your probable retirement expenses. ...
  6. Don't forget about your spouse. ...
  7. Watch out for over-earning.
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Do you automatically get Medicare with Social Security?

You automatically get Medicare

because you're getting benefits from Social Security (or the Railroad Retirement Board). Part B covers certain doctors' services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services.
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Do you pay taxes on Social Security?

Some people who get Social Security must pay federal income taxes on their benefits. However, no one pays taxes on more than 85% percent of their Social Security benefits. You must pay taxes on your benefits if you file a federal tax return as an “individual” and your “combined income” exceeds $25,000.
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How do I retire at 62 with health insurance?

If you retire at 62, you'll need to make sure you can afford health insurance until age 65 when your Medicare benefits begin. 5 (If you have a disability, you can qualify early.) With the Affordable Care Act, you are guaranteed to get coverage even if you have a pre-existing condition.
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Is Social Security based on the last 5 years of work?

A: Your Social Security payment is based on your best 35 years of work. And, whether we like it or not, if you don't have 35 years of work, the Social Security Administration (SSA) still uses 35 years and posts zeros for the missing years, says Andy Landis, author of Social Security: The Inside Story, 2016 Edition.
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How can I maximize my Social Security benefits?

How to increase your Social Security payments:
  1. Work for at least 35 years.
  2. Earn more.
  3. Work until your full retirement age.
  4. Delay claiming until age 70.
  5. Claim spousal payments.
  6. Include family.
  7. Don't earn too much in retirement.
  8. Minimize Social Security taxes.
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How Long Will Social Security Last?

According to the 2022 annual report of the Social Security Board of Trustees, the surplus in the trust funds that disburse retirement, disability and other Social Security benefits will be depleted by 2035. That's one year later than the trustees projected in their 2021 report.
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Can you collect Social Security at 65 and still work full time?

When you reach your full retirement age, you can work and earn as much as you want and still get your full Social Security benefit payment.
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