When can i retire?

Short answer: in the U.S., you can start Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62. But your full retirement age depends on your birth year, and if you claim before then, your monthly benefit is reduced.

What that means in practice

• Age 62: earliest age to begin Social Security retirement benefits.
• Full retirement age: when you can receive your full benefit amount.
• After full retirement age: waiting longer can increase your monthly benefit, up to age 70 for many people.

Important caveat

That only answers Social Security. The age you can stop working and retire overall may be different because it depends on:

• your employer pension rules,
• your savings and investments,
• health insurance/Medicare timing,
• housing and living expenses.