Social Security Benefits — Infoplease.com

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The Question:

Do I start collecting Social Security when I turn 65?

The Answer:

You can receive Social Security benefits when you turn 62. This, however, is not the "full retirement age" and will reduce your payments by a certain percentage for the rest of your life. For those born in 1937 or earlier, your full retirement age is 65. For those born after 1960, your full retirement age is 67.

For everything in between, see the chart below.

Year of Birth	Full Retirement Age
1937 or earlier	65
1938	65 and 2 months
1939	65 and 4 months
1940	65 and 6 months
1941	65 and 8 months
1942	65 and 10 months
1943–1954	66
1955	66 and 2 months
1956	66 and 4 months
1957	66 and 6 months
1958	66 and 8 months
1959	66 and 10 months
1960 and later	67

Read more about Social Security in our almanac or visit the Social Security Administration website.

—The Editors

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