Can You Draw Social Security at 55?

Social Security is a federal program providing financial protection to millions of Americans. It offers benefits for retirement, disability, and survivorship, aiming to replace a portion of lost income due to old age, a qualifying disability, or the death of a primary wage earner.

Minimum Age for Social Security Retirement Benefits

The earliest age an individual can begin receiving Social Security retirement benefits is generally 62. This age applies regardless of an individual’s Full Retirement Age (FRA). Claiming benefits at age 62 results in a permanent reduction from the Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), which is the benefit received if one waits until their FRA.

Full Retirement Age varies based on the individual’s birth year. For those born in 1959, their FRA is 66 years and 10 months, while individuals born in 1960 or later have an FRA of 67 years. Claiming benefits at your specific FRA allows you to receive 100% of your calculated PIA. Delaying benefits beyond your FRA, up to age 70, can lead to increased monthly payments through Delayed Retirement Credits (DRCs). These credits can boost your benefit by approximately 8% for each year you delay, up to age 70.

Implications of Claiming Retirement Benefits Early

Claiming Social Security retirement benefits before your Full Retirement Age results in a permanent reduction of your monthly payment. The reduction percentage depends on how many months before your FRA you begin receiving benefits. For instance, if your FRA is 67 and you claim benefits at age 62, your monthly payment will be reduced by approximately 30%. The longer you claim early, the greater the permanent reduction to your benefit amount.

Working While Receiving Social Security Benefits

Individuals who claim Social Security benefits before their Full Retirement Age and continue to work may have their benefits temporarily reduced or withheld. This is due to the Social Security Administration’s earnings test, which applies if earnings exceed a specific annual limit. In 2025, if you are under your FRA for the entire year, your benefits may be reduced by $1 for every $2 earned above an annual limit of $23,400.

For the year you reach your Full Retirement Age, a different, higher earnings limit applies to earnings before your FRA month. In 2025, this limit is $62,160, and $1 in benefits is withheld for every $3 earned above this amount. Once you reach your Full Retirement Age, the earnings test no longer applies, and you can earn any amount without it affecting your Social Security benefits. Any benefits withheld due to the earnings test are not permanently lost; they lead to a recalculation of your benefit at your FRA, potentially resulting in a higher monthly payment in the future.

Applying for Social Security Benefits

The Social Security Administration (SSA) encourages online applications, but you can also apply by phone or in person at a local Social Security office. It is advisable to apply up to four months before you wish your benefits to start.

To complete your application, you will need to provide specific information and documents. This includes:

Your Social Security number
Original birth certificate or proof of U.S. citizenship
W-2 forms or self-employment tax returns for the past year
Bank account information for direct deposit of benefits

Other Types of Social Security Benefits Accessible Before Age 62

While retirement benefits typically start no earlier than age 62, other types of Social Security benefits may be available to individuals before this age. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides financial assistance to those who are unable to work due to a severe medical condition expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. Eligibility for SSDI is based on an individual’s work history and the severity of their disability, not solely on age. There is no minimum age requirement to apply for SSDI, provided the work credit requirements are met.

Survivor Benefits can also be claimed before age 62 by eligible family members of a deceased worker. For example, a widow or widower may be able to receive reduced survivor benefits as early as age 60, or even at age 50 if they have a disability. Children of a deceased worker may also qualify for benefits if they are unmarried and under age 18, or if they have a disability that began before age 22.