The retirement age for full Social Security benefits remains 67 for people born in 1960 or later, with no change in 2025
Social Security's full retirement age (also called normal retirement age) has been gradually increasing since 2003 and reached 67 in 2022. It stays at 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later — including everyone turning 65 in 2025. There is no scheduled increase beyond 67 under current law, though Congress could change that.
What did change in 2025 is the dollar amount you receive. The average monthly benefit increased by 3.2 percent, and the maximum benefit amount rose as well. These annual adjustments happen every January based on inflation from the previous year.
The age at which you can first claim Social Security (62) and the age at which you receive the maximum benefit (70) have not changed. What matters for your own situation is when you were born, not the calendar year.
Key Takeaways
- Full retirement age is 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later, and this has not changed in 2025.
- You can still claim reduced benefits as early as age 62, but the reduction amount depends on your birth year and when you claim.
- Waiting until age 70 to claim still results in the highest monthly benefit, regardless of the year.
- The 3.2 percent benefit increase in 2025 applies to people already receiving Social Security and those who claim in 2025.
How the retirement age increase worked and why it stopped at 67
Congress passed a law in 1983 that gradually raised the full retirement age from 65 to 67. The increase happened in two-year steps: it went from 65 to 66 between 2003 and 2009, then from 66 to 67 between 2017 and 2022. Anyone born in 1960 or later has a full retirement age of 67.
No further increase is scheduled. Congress would have to pass a new law to raise the retirement age beyond 67. Various proposals have been discussed over the years, but none have become law. Your full retirement age depends only on your birth year, not on any changes that might happen in the future.
Claiming before 67: how the reduction works
You can claim Social Security as early as age 62, but your monthly benefit will be permanently reduced. The reduction amount depends on your birth year and how many months before your full retirement age you claim.
If you were born in 1960 or later and claim at 62, your benefit is roughly 30 percent lower than it would be at 67. If you claim at 65, the reduction is roughly 13 percent. These percentages are set by law and do not change year to year. The reduction stays in place for your entire life, even after you reach 67.
Claiming early makes sense for some people — those with serious health problems, those who need the money now, or those who will not live long enough to break even by waiting. It does not make sense for others, especially those in good health or those with other income sources. There is no single right answer; it depends on your circumstances.
Waiting until 70: the delayed retirement credits
If you wait past your full retirement age to claim, your benefit increases by roughly 8 percent per year until age 70. Someone born in 1960 or later who waits from 67 to 70 receives about 24 percent more per month than they would have at 67.
This increase is permanent and applies to your entire life. It also increases the benefit your spouse or ex-spouse may receive based on your record. Waiting until 70 results in the highest possible monthly benefit under Social Security rules.
Waiting makes sense if you are in good health, have other income to live on, or want to maximize the benefit for a surviving spouse. It does not make sense if you need the money now or have reason to believe you will not live long enough to recoup the difference.
The 2025 benefit increase and how it affects you
Social Security benefits increased by 3.2 percent in January 2025. This is called the cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA. The percentage is based on inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index during the previous year.
If you were already receiving Social Security in December 2024, your January 2025 payment included the 3.2 percent increase. If you claim Social Security for the first time in 2025, your benefit will be calculated using the 2025 benefit formula, which includes this increase. The increase applies to retirement benefits, survivor benefits, and disability benefits.
The maximum benefit amount also increased. In 2025, the maximum monthly benefit for someone claiming at full retirement age is higher than it was in 2024, though the exact amount depends on your earnings record.
What has not changed: claiming ages and reduction percentages
The earliest age you can claim is still 62. The age at which you receive your full benefit is still 67 (for people born in 1960 or later). The age at which delayed credits stop accruing is still 70. None of these ages changed in 2025, and no change is scheduled.
The reduction for claiming early and the increase for claiming late are also fixed by law. These percentages do not change from year to year. What changes is the dollar amount of your benefit, which goes up with the annual COLA adjustment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the retirement age go up to 68 or 69 in the future?
Not unless Congress passes a new law. The current law sets the full retirement age at 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later, with no scheduled increase. Various proposals to raise it further have been discussed, but none have become law. If Congress does change the law, it would likely apply only to people not yet born or people far from retirement age.
If I was born in 1959, what is my full retirement age?
If you were born in 1959, your full retirement age is 66 and 10 months. The full retirement age increases by two months for each year of birth between 1943 and 1960. You can still claim as early as 62, but the reduction will be larger than for someone born in 1960.
Does the 3.2 percent increase apply if I haven't claimed yet?
Yes. When you claim Social Security in 2025, your benefit will be calculated using the 2025 benefit formula, which reflects the 3.2 percent increase. The benefit you receive will be higher than it would have been if you had claimed in 2024, assuming your earnings record is the same.
Can I change my mind after I claim at 62?
You can withdraw your claim within 12 months of claiming and repay what you received, which resets your record as if you never claimed. After 12 months, you cannot undo the claim. If you are past full retirement age, you can suspend your benefit to let it grow, but this is different from withdrawing your claim entirely.
How do I know what my benefit will be at different ages?
You can create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov to see your earnings record and benefit estimates at ages 62, 67, and 70. The estimates are based on your actual work history and current law. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to speak with someone who can explain your options.