old hat; Old Labour; old lady; old-line; old maid; old man; old master; old money; Old Nick
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.
November 19, 2010. Social Security recommends applying for retirement benefits three months before you want them to begin, because processing can take two months or longer. In most cases, you can apply as early as four months in advance. Retirement payments arrive one month after the qualifying month, so you'll receive the deposit for a June start date in July. Social Security approves your application 30 to 60 days before it makes the first payment.