What’s the best age for me to take Social Security?

Planning for retirement can often feel like putting together a puzzle: To meet your retirement goals and enjoy the full picture, you’ll have to fit all the pieces together just so.

An essential piece of this retirement puzzle is figuring out when to start claiming Social Security benefits as a payment you’ll receive every month. Social Security benefits are monthly financial payments made to eligible recipients by the Social Security Administration (SSA), and they primarily supplement or cover income. Recipients typically include people in retirement, with disabilities, or those whose spouses have passed away, otherwise known as survivors.

Figuring out how much in Social Security benefits you might receive, the impact of claiming Social Security at different ages, and other factors such as Social Security spousal benefits and whether you’ll retire domestically or abroad can help you decide what’s best for you.

What is my estimated Social Security retirement benefit amount?

As of January 2026, the average monthly retirement benefit is $2,071. The amount of your Social Security benefits is determined by:

• Credits: For those born after 1929, you must accumulate 40 credits over your lifetime (i.e., 10 total years of work) to gain full eligibility for benefits. Three months of work earns you one credit, and you can earn up to four credits per year.
• Lifetime earnings: The SSA uses the highest 35 years of your earnings to calculate your benefits.
• Filing status: Your Social Security benefit amount also depends on whether you’re filing for yourself, a spouse, a divorcee, or a widow.

What is the earliest age I can take Social Security?

The earliest age someone can start claiming Social Security benefits is 62. See the table below, breaking down full retirement age (FRA) by birth year.

How does the age I take Social Security affect my benefit amount?

While the full retirement age is 67 for many, you’ll get additional benefits if you wait to start taking them until age 70; these additional benefits are called delayed retirement credits. Generally, benefits increase by 8% each year until you reach age 70. On the flip side, your Social Security benefits will decrease each year if you start taking them at 62. This is why Principal® recommends waiting until you reach your FRA to start taking benefits. If your situation allows, consider waiting until age 70 to receive the maximum benefit. Following this, keep in mind that there’s no financial upside to waiting after age 70 to start taking Social Security benefits.

Here’s an example breakdown of what monthly Social Security benefits could look like depending on the age you choose to start receiving them.

How do my health and work plans affect my Social Security filing?

While most people aim to enjoy their golden years for a long time, the truth is, you don’t know exactly how long retirement will last. Your finances, health, lifestyle, work plans, and the average life expectancy can all affect the length of your retirement.

Some people may find a breakeven calculator, which compares the effects of taking or delaying benefits in a real-life scenario, helpful in planning for retirement.

If you’re considering working part-time in retirement, know that you can still be employed and file for Social Security benefits. Also, note that some or all Social Security benefits can be withheld depending on how much you earn and how old you are—this is called an earnings test. If your earnings test withholding exceeds the amount of your maximum Social Security benefits, the entire amount will be withheld until you turn the FRA.

Will a partner or I receive spousal, divorced spouse, or survivor benefits?

Spouses have two options for Social Security benefits: They can either claim benefits based on their own earnings, or they can collect spousal benefits that are calculated using 50% of their spouse’s Social Security benefits—whichever is higher. What’s more, a spouse doesn’t have to have worked to claim this benefit; they just need to be at least 62 years old, caring for a child younger than 16, or caring for a disabled child of any age.

Keep in mind that you and your spouse don’t have to claim Social Security benefits at the same age. The best age for you to claim Social Security benefits may also depend on whether you or a partner is divorced, widowed, or caring for a dependent. Use the spousal benefit calculator on the official SSA website to work through different example scenarios and see the potential impacts on your retirement income.

What are my other retirement income sources and budget needs?

By design, Social Security is intended to supplement only a portion of your pre-retirement income, joining your other retirement savings, ideally lasting the duration of your post-work life. That’s why your potential Social Security benefits and filing age should be balanced with other guaranteed sources of income. These could include a pension plan, annuities, or standard employment income, along with income from retirement accounts like traditional and Roth IRAs, and workplace retirement plans like 401(k)s or 403(b)s.

You’ll also need to balance your budget against the sum of all your retirement income sources. You may need to take additional factors into account when calculating your retirement budget, too. For example, will you have any debt in your post-work years? Do you want to factor in any travel? Have you planned for health care, which is estimated to cost a 65-year-old couple as much as $388,000 throughout retirement?

How does my Social Security filing age affect my taxes?

Social Security benefits are taxable at the federal level and by some states as well, but how much they’re taxed depends on both your filing status and current income. Consult your tax advisor for more information on how Social Security benefits may affect your tax situation.

Additionally, those retiring outside of the U.S. will not be subject to dual taxation if they live in one of 30 designated countries. However, there may be domestic tax, benefits transfer, or currency exchange implications, so it’s wise to consult a tax professional with any questions on these matters, too. If you’re curious how your tax situation may change by retiring outside of the U.S., use the Payments Abroad screening tool on the official SSA website.