Your key ages
If you were born in 1970, your full retirement age is 67. You reach it in 2037. Claim before then and your check is permanently smaller. Claim after and it grows by 8% a year until 70.
One detail catches people out: Social Security counts you as reaching an age the day before your birthday. If you were born on January 1, 1970, you are treated as born in 1969, and the rules for 1969 apply to you (see the 1969 page).
What each claiming age pays
The table shows the share of your full benefit you would get for life, and what that means on a $2,000 full benefit. The spousal column shows what a husband or wife born in 1970 would get on your record, as a share of your full benefit.
| Claim at | Year | Your benefit | On $2,000 | Spouse |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 62 | 2032 | 70% | $1,400 | 32.5% |
| 63 | 2033 | 75% | $1,500 | 35% |
| 64 | 2034 | 80% | $1,600 | 37.5% |
| 65 | 2035 | 86.7% | $1,733 | 41.7% |
| 66 | 2036 | 93.3% | $1,867 | 45.8% |
| 67 (full) | 2037 | 100% | $2,000 | 50% |
| 68 | 2038 | 108% | $2,160 | 50% |
| 69 | 2039 | 116% | $2,320 | 50% |
| 70 | 2040 | 124% | $2,480 | 50% |
Where you stand in 2027
You turn 57 in 2027, so you cannot claim retirement benefits yet. The earliest you can start is 2032, the year you turn 62. Use the time to check your earnings record at ssa.gov: any missing year of pay lowers your check for life, and mistakes are easier to fix while employers still have the records.
Other dates to know
| Earliest retirement benefit (62) | 2032 |
| Earliest widow's or widower's benefit (60) | 2030 |
| Medicare eligibility (65) | 2035 |
| Delayed credits end (70) | 2040 |
| Required minimum distributions begin | 2045 (age 75) |
To see these choices with your own numbers, use the when to claim calculator. Married couples can compare both records in the spousal and survivor calculator, and the 2027 payment calendar shows the day your check arrives each month.
Questions
What is the full retirement age if I was born in 1970?
Your full retirement age is 67. You reach it in 2037. At that age you get 100% of your full benefit.
How much less do I get at 62 if I was born in 1970?
Claiming at 62 pays 70% of your full benefit, a permanent cut of 30%. On a $2,000 full benefit, that is $1,400 a month instead of $2,000.
How much more do I get by waiting to 70?
Waiting until 70 pays 124% of your full benefit. On a $2,000 full benefit, that is $2,480 a month, plus every yearly cost-of-living raise on top.
When do I sign up for Medicare?
You become eligible for Medicare at 65, in 2035. Medicare age does not move with full retirement age.