When Should You Take Social Security?

The age at which you can start receiving full Social Security retirement benefits is a moving target and depends on the year you were born (see table below). You can elect to take benefits early at age 62 (earlier only if you are a survivor or on disability), or wait as late as age 70. Given the range of choices, as your 62nd birthday approaches, you'll likely be thinking about more than just how all those candles are going to fit on the cake.