The full retirement age for Social Security will reach 67 in 2026 for people born in 1960

Social Security's full retirement age — the age at which you receive your complete monthly benefit — has been gradually increasing since 2003. In 2026, it will hit 67 for anyone born in 1960. This is the final step in a schedule set by Congress in 1983 that raised the full retirement age from 65 to 67 over a 22-year period.

If you were born in 1960 or later, your full retirement age is 67. If you were born before 1960, your full retirement age is lower — it ranges from 65 to 66 depending on your birth year. Knowing your full retirement age matters because it determines when you can claim your complete benefit without any reduction, and it affects how much you lose if you claim early or gain if you claim late.

Key Takeaways

  • Full retirement age reaches 67 in 2026 for people born in 1960, and stays at 67 for everyone born after that year.
  • You can still claim Social Security as early as 62, but your monthly payment will be permanently reduced by roughly 30 percent if you wait until 67 to claim.
  • Waiting to claim after your full retirement age increases your monthly benefit by about 8 percent per year until age 70.
  • Your full retirement age does not change the earliest age you can claim (62) or the latest age when benefits stop growing (70).

How the full retirement age schedule works

Congress created a gradual increase in full retirement age rather than a sudden jump. The change began in 2003 for people born in 1938, and it moves forward two months per birth year. For example, someone born in 1954 has a full retirement age of 66 and 6 months. Someone born in 1955 has a full retirement age of 66 and 8 months. This two-month increment continues until 1960, when it stops at 67.

The reason for the gradual increase was to give workers time to adjust their retirement planning. When the law passed in 1983, people were living longer on average, and the Social Security trust fund faced long-term shortfalls. Raising the full retirement age was one way Congress addressed the program's finances without immediately cutting benefits for current retirees.

Anyone born in 1961 or later also has a full retirement age of 67. There is no further increase planned beyond that point, though Congress could change the law in the future.

What claiming before or after your full retirement age means

Your full retirement age is a reference point, not a deadline. You can claim Social Security as early as 62, but your monthly benefit will be permanently lower. If you claim at 62 and your full retirement age is 67, your monthly payment is roughly 30 percent less than it would be at 67. That reduction stays in place for the rest of your life, even after you reach 67.

The opposite is also true: if you wait past your full retirement age to claim, your benefit grows. For each year you delay claiming between your full retirement age and 70, your monthly payment increases by about 8 percent. So if you wait until 70 to claim, your monthly benefit could be roughly 24 percent higher than it would be at 67. After age 70, benefits do not grow any further, so there is no financial advantage to waiting past 70 to claim.

The choice between claiming early, at full retirement age, or late depends on your health, family history, how much you need the money now, and how long you expect to live. There is no single right answer for everyone.

How to find your full retirement age

The Social Security Administration publishes a full retirement age chart on its website that shows the age based on your birth year. You can also create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov to view your personal Social Security statement, which lists your full retirement age and your estimated benefits at different claiming ages.

If you do not have an online account, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to ask about your full retirement age. Have your Social Security number and birth date ready. You can also visit a local Social Security office in person, though wait times can be long.

The difference between full retirement age and Medicare may be able to access

Full retirement age for Social Security is separate from Medicare may be able to access. You become may be able to access for Medicare at 65, regardless of your Social Security full retirement age. You can claim Social Security at 62 and still wait until 65 to enroll in Medicare, or you can claim Social Security at 70 and enroll in Medicare at 65.

If you are still working and earning above a certain amount when you claim Social Security before your full retirement age, Social Security will reduce your monthly benefit. This earnings test does not apply once you reach your full retirement age. Medicare has no earnings test — you can work and earn as much as you want without affecting your Medicare coverage.

What happens to spousal and survivor benefits

If you are married, divorced, or widowed, you may be able to claim benefits based on your spouse's or ex-spouse's Social Security record. The full retirement age also affects these benefits. A surviving spouse can claim a reduced widow or widower benefit as early as 60, but the full amount is available only at the surviving spouse's full retirement age. A current spouse can claim a spousal benefit at 62, but again, the full amount is available only at their full retirement age.

The increase in full retirement age to 67 means that spousal and survivor benefits are also affected. If you are counting on a spousal benefit to supplement your retirement income, your full retirement age determines when you can receive the full spousal amount.

Planning around the 2026 change

If you are born in 1960 and plan to retire soon, knowing that your full retirement age is 67 helps you understand the trade-off between claiming early and waiting. If you claim at 62, you will receive a permanent 30 percent reduction. If you can wait until 67, you will receive your full benefit amount. If you can wait until 70, your benefit will be 24 percent higher than at 67.

For people born after 1960, the full retirement age of 67 is already locked in. If you are in your 40s or 50s now, you have time to plan. If you are in your 60s, you should review your options with a financial advisor or contact Social Security directly to understand how your claiming age affects your lifetime benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still claim Social Security at 62 if my full retirement age is 67?

Yes. The earliest you can claim Social Security is 62, regardless of your full retirement age. However, claiming at 62 when your full retirement age is 67 means your monthly benefit will be about 30 percent lower than it would be at 67, and that reduction is permanent.

Does the full retirement age change affect when I can work?

No. Your full retirement age does not determine when you must stop working. You can work as long as you want. However, if you claim Social Security before your full retirement age and earn above a certain amount from work, Social Security will reduce your monthly benefit temporarily. Once you reach your full retirement age, this earnings limit no longer applies.

What if I was born in 1959 or earlier?

If you were born in 1959, your full retirement age is 66 and 10 months. If you were born in 1958 or earlier, your full retirement age is 66 or lower. You can check your exact full retirement age on the Social Security Administration website or by creating a my Social Security account.

Does waiting past 67 to claim Social Security make sense?

Waiting past 67 increases your monthly benefit by about 8 percent per year until age 70. Whether it makes sense depends on your health, family longevity, and current financial needs. If you are in good health and expect to live into your 80s, waiting often results in higher lifetime benefits. If you need the money now or have health concerns, claiming earlier may be the right choice.

How does the full retirement age affect my spouse's benefits?

Your spouse can claim a spousal benefit based on your record, but the full spousal amount is available only when your spouse reaches their own full retirement age. If your spouse claims before their full retirement age, their spousal benefit is reduced. Your full retirement age does not directly determine when your spouse can claim, but it affects how much they receive.