At what age can a person claim early Social Security benefits?

A person can claim early Social Security benefits at 62 years of age. This option is correct because the Social Security Administration allows individuals to start receiving retirement benefits as early as age 62, though doing so results in a reduction of the monthly benefit amount compared to waiting until the full retirement age. Full retirement age varies depending on the year of birth, but for most current recipients, it is around 66 to 67 years. While one can claim benefits at 60, it is specifically for widow or widower benefits, not standard retirement benefits, which is why 62 is the appropriate age for claiming early retirement benefits.