When to Start Your Social Security Check
Pre-Retirees on Long Island
When to Start Your Social Security Check
You can start your Social Security retirement check as early as 62, at your full retirement age, or as late as 70. Starting earlier means smaller payments for more years. Waiting means larger monthly payments for fewer years.
The age you pick can also change what a spouse or surviving spouse receives, how work income is counted, and how the check fits with a pension and your 403(b) or 457(b) savings. This page walks through the basics so you can learn the tradeoffs before you decide.
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What Changes With the Age You Start
These figures come from the Social Security Administration and use an example check of $1,000 at full retirement age.
Age 62: The Earliest Start
For anyone born in 1960 or later, starting at 62 reduces the benefit by about 30%, so a $1,000 check becomes about $700. The reduction is permanent and is figured for each month before full retirement age.
Full Retirement Age: 67 if Born in 1960 or Later
Full retirement age is 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later. For those born from 1955 to 1959 it falls between 66 and 2 months and 66 and 10 months. At full retirement age, you receive your full benefit.
Age 70: The Latest Increase
For each year you wait past full retirement age, the benefit grows by 8%, or two thirds of 1% for each month. The increases stop at 70, so waiting past 70 adds nothing.
Medicare Still Starts at 65
Even if you wait to start Social Security, the Social Security Administration says to sign up for Medicare within 3 months of your 65th birthday. Signing up late can raise what you pay for Part B and Part D.
Spouses and Surviving Spouses
Spousal Benefits
A spouse may be able to receive up to 50% of the other spouse's full retirement age benefit. Starting that spousal benefit at 62 lowers it, to as little as 35% of the worker's amount for those born in 1960 or later.
Survivor Benefits
A surviving spouse, a divorced spouse, and certain children or dependent parents may qualify for monthly payments based on the work record of someone who paid Social Security taxes before they died. The full retirement age for survivor benefits can differ from the retirement age above.
Why the Timing Matters for Both of You
The age the higher earner starts can affect what a surviving spouse receives later. That makes the decision a household question, not only a personal one.
Working While You Collect
The earnings test applies only before full retirement age. These are the 2026 amounts from the Social Security Administration.
Before the Year You Reach Full Retirement Age
In 2026, Social Security holds back $1 for every $2 you earn above $24,480.
In the Year You Reach Full Retirement Age
In 2026, Social Security holds back $1 for every $3 you earn above $65,160, counting only the months before you reach full retirement age.
Withheld Checks Are Not Lost
Once you reach full retirement age, Social Security raises your monthly benefit to account for the months it held back. Earnings from the month you reach full retirement age onward don't count toward the test.
How Social Security Checks Are Taxed
Federal Income Tax
Part of your benefit may be taxable. Add half of your Social Security to your other income, such as a pension, wages, interest and 403(b) or 457(b) withdrawals. If that total is over $25,000 for a single filer or $32,000 for a joint return, up to 50% of the benefits may be taxable. Above $34,000 single or $44,000 joint, up to 85% may be taxable.
Withholding From the Check
You can ask Social Security to withhold 7%, 10%, 12% or 22% of each monthly payment for federal taxes, or pay the IRS directly.
New York State
New York lets you subtract the Social Security benefits included in your federal income when you figure your New York adjusted gross income. A New York State or local government pension is also generally subtracted for state tax. If you are 59½ or older, New York may also let you exclude up to $20,000 of other qualified pension and annuity income.
Check with your tax preparer about how these tax rules apply to you.
The Social Security Fairness Act
This law matters for some public employees who also have a pension.
What Changed
The Social Security Fairness Act was signed on January 5, 2025. It ended the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset, two rules that reduced Social Security for people with a pension from work that did not pay Social Security taxes. They no longer apply to benefits payable for January 2024 and later.
Who It Affects
Only people with a pension from work not covered by Social Security may get an increase. About 72% of state and local public employees pay Social Security taxes on their work and were never affected. Check whether your public employment was covered.
If You Never Applied
People who held off applying because of these rules may need to file an application, and the application date can affect when payments begin. The usual rules, like the reduction for starting early and the earnings test, still apply.
How Social Security Fits With a Pension and Your Savings
Social Security is one of up to three sources of retirement income for many public employees.
Three Income Sources, Three Sets of Rules
Pension payment amounts are set by that plan's own rules. A 403(b) or 457(b) is savings you draw from. Social Security has the age rules above. Each one starts on its own timeline.
Withdrawals Can Change the Tax on Social Security
Taxable 403(b) and 457(b) withdrawals and a taxable pension count toward the federal income test above, so the timing of withdrawals can change how much of your Social Security is taxed.
Questions to Ask Before You Decide
When does the pension begin? What is your full retirement age? Will you still earn wages before that age? What would a surviving spouse receive? Your online my Social Security account on ssa.gov shows your own estimates.
Common Questions
Is there a best age to start Social Security?
There is no single answer. The right age depends on health, other income, work plans, and a spouse's situation. This page explains the rules; it does not make a recommendation.
Does New York tax Social Security?
New York lets you subtract Social Security benefits that are included in your federal income when you figure your New York adjusted gross income.
If you keep working before full retirement age, are benefits lost?
Some benefits may be held back if 2026 earnings go over the limits above, but they are not lost. The monthly benefit is raised at full retirement age to account for them.
Does the Social Security Fairness Act raise every teacher's benefit?
No. It helps only people with a pension from work not covered by Social Security. About 72% of state and local public employees pay Social Security taxes and saw no change.
Sources
- Social Security Administration: Starting your retirement benefits early
- Social Security Administration: Delayed retirement credits
- Social Security Administration: Survivor benefits
- Social Security Administration: Receiving benefits while working
- Social Security Administration: What happens if I work and get retirement benefits?
- Social Security Administration: Request to withhold taxes
- IRS: Publication 915, Social Security and Equivalent Railroad Retirement Benefits
- New York State Department of Taxation and Finance: Information for seniors and retired persons
- Social Security Administration: Social Security Fairness Act
Talk Through Your Timing
An Atlas VirtualWealth session takes about 45 minutes. It is time to learn how your Social Security check, pension and savings fit together.
Book a Complimentary Atlas VirtualWealth Session Call (631) 389-2358No obligation.
Atlas Benefits Advisor
Christopher J. Vargas, LUTCF®
President & Chief Benefits Strategist
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cvargas@atlasbenefitsadvisor.com
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Saturday by appointment only.