Updated 2026. My mother passed at age 97 (2024) RIP. I will be updating this site so I can help retirees again. Write to me!

When to apply

by Steve Phillips
(South Carolina)

I'll be 62 May 9. Do I have to apply for Social security at the time or can I wait and apply anytime after that?

Comments for When to apply

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APPLY ONLINE
by: Phillip DeNise in Albany, Georgia

I chose to apply for my retirement benefit online (several months in advance of my 62nd anniversary), & found the process was very easy.

I was not required to furnish any documentation & had already received my debit card before that first $892 payment was made.
Social Security at 62?
by: Wendy

You can wait as long as you'd like...

Age 62 is your lowest monthly amount. You can apply anytime you like, the longer you wait, the higher your lifetime monthly benefit is.

Age 66+ is your full retirement age where you can collect SS and work as much as you like... the benefit is recalculated every year.

There is sooo much more than this... take a peek under the Social Security tab to the left. Think twice, like you are, so many ways to do this...

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