Social Security guides
These 30 plain-English guides answer common questions about when to start Social Security, from 62 or 67 to the 2027 earnings limit. Every number comes from our calculator, and every rule links to ssa.gov.
Last updated: . Education, not financial advice.
Guides
Spousal age gap
Full retirement age by birth year
Source: Retirement benefits (opens in a new tab), Full retirement age and reduction by claiming age (opens in a new tab)
Sources
- Retirement benefits (opens in a new tab)
- Full retirement age and reduction by claiming age (opens in a new tab)
- my Social Security account (your statement) (opens in a new tab)
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Wait or Claim is independent. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to the Social Security Administration or any government agency. We give education, not financial, tax or legal advice. Check your own facts with Social Security (ssa.gov) before you file.