--- title: The Case for Claiming Social Security at 64 Instead of 62 or 67 description: For some people, claiming Social Security at age 64 makes more sense than waiting for full retirement age. Here's what to consider. authors: - name: Marc Guberti url: https://money.com/author/marc-guberti/ bio: Marc Guberti is a personal finance writer who hosts Breakthrough Success, a podcast where he teaches listeners how to grow their businesses and achieve personal transformations. at_money_since: 2024 articles: 447 covers: - Retirement - Banking - Career Advice - Credit - Credit Cards - Debt - Economy and Politics - Health and Wellness - Housing - Identity Theft - Insurance - Investing - Lifestyle - Loans - Mortgages - Personal Finance - Pets - Professional Services - Shopping - Taxes published: '2026-10-26T15:30:23.000Z' section: Retirement word_count: 525 canonical: https://money.com/claim-social-security-at-64/ type: Article source: structured-blocks --- > **Disclosure:** We research all brands listed and may earn a fee from our partners. Research and financial considerations may influence how brands are displayed. Not all brands are included. [Learn more](https://money.com/page/disclaimer/). ![US currency and Social Security card](https://img.money.com/2026/10/Explainer-Social-Security-64.jpg) When you’re gearing up for retirement, it’s important to carefully consider when you are going to start receiving Social Security. While some people claim as soon as they’re able at age 62, others wait until they reach full retirement age or age 70, when you can get the maximum benefits. But there is a middle ground. Here’s why claiming at 64 can make sense for some people. ## Social Security at each age The longer you wait, the more your benefit grows. You receive your full benefit upon reaching full retirement age (FRA), but you can still boost your benefit by waiting until you turn 70. Here’s the breakdown of how much you receive at each age, relative to your full retirement age (FRA) benefit. - 62 years old: 70% of FRA benefit - 64 years old: 80% of FRA benefit - 67 years old: 100% of FRA benefit - 70 years old: 124% of FRA benefit Claiming at 64 instead of waiting may make sense because you still get a large portion of the benefit and get to collect Social Security multiple years before you turn 67. Getting Social Security earlier can speed up retirement and provide more financial flexibility, depending on your situation. However, it’s not for everyone. If you are still working, a portion of your Social Security checks may be eligible for withholding. Plus if you wait, you will receive larger checks in the future. ## Who it suits Claiming Social Security at 64 may be optimal for single retirees who have relatively low living expenses. Lower costs require less cash flow to maintain a lifestyle, and that same advantage may give you more mileage out of your savings and investment account. If you retire at age 62 and don’t have enough room in your bank account to cover five years of living expenses, it may be worth claiming Social Security at 64. If you are also worried about your health and your likelihood of living long enough to take advantage of the larger future benefits, you may also want to consider claiming before FRA. ## Healthcare timing One of the downsides of retiring early and claiming Social Security at 64 is that you may have a one-year gap before Medicare starts. That means you might have to budget for a year of private coverage before you become eligible for Medicare. Healthcare options are typically cheaper for single individuals who do not have to provide coverage for the entire family. That can make it more manageable. People who are at risk of serious health issues may want to stay on an employer’s plan for another year and slightly delay retirement, as long as they can work safely. ## Review your monthly benefit across different ages Your “my Social Security” account lets you see how much you can receive each month based on when you claim benefits. You can review how your benefits go up based on when you claim, and if you also check your expenses, you can determine the optimal time to claim Social Security. Some people claim Social Security upon turning 62, while others wait as long as possible. 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