When should I claim Social Security — 62, 67, or 70?
Reviewed September 26, 2026 · 6 min read
There's no single right age — but the math is not close. Claiming at 62 locks in about 70% of your full benefit for life; waiting until 70 locks in about 124%. That's a permanently larger check, nearly 77% bigger, for the rest of your life or your spouse's. The right age depends on your health, your other income, and whether a spouse will one day rely on your benefit — not on getting your money back as fast as possible.
