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A. You can. Social Security will accept your application for early benefits when you're 61 years 9 months. Regardless of how old you are, the agency generally recommends that you apply three months before you would like the first payment to arrive.
1 Open a 'my Social Security' account at www.socialsecurity.gov before applying for benefits.  Someone who loses a job in his or her early 60s may need to file at 62 to replace lost income.