What your full retirement age actually is

Your full retirement age — the age at which you receive your complete Social Security benefit — depends on the year you were born. It is not the same for everyone, and it has not changed recently. If you were born between 1943 and 1954, your full retirement age is 66. If you were born between 1955 and 1960, it falls somewhere between 66 and 67, depending on your birth year. If you were born in 1960 or later, your full retirement age is 67.

This schedule was set by law in 1983 and has remained the same since then. Congress has not voted to change it, and no change is currently scheduled. Your full retirement age is fixed based on your birth year — it will not shift or increase as you age.

Knowing your full retirement age matters because it determines when you can claim your full benefit amount. You can claim as early as 62, but your monthly payment will be permanently reduced. You can also delay claiming past your full retirement age and receive a higher monthly amount. The longer you wait, the larger your monthly check becomes — up to age 70.

Key Takeaways

  • Full retirement age ranges from 66 to 67 depending on birth year, with no recent changes to this schedule.
  • If you were born in 1960 or later, your full retirement age is 67; if born between 1943 and 1954, it is 66.
  • Claiming before your full retirement age reduces your monthly benefit permanently; claiming after increases it.
  • The 1983 law that set this schedule remains in effect and has not been modified by Congress.

How the full retirement age schedule works by birth year

The Social Security Administration uses a table based on your birth year to determine your full retirement age. People born in 1943 through 1954 have a full retirement age of 66. For those born between 1955 and 1960, the full retirement age increases by two months for each year of birth — so someone born in 1955 has a full retirement age of 66 and two months, while someone born in 1959 has a full retirement age of 66 and ten months.

Anyone born in 1960 or later has a full retirement age of 67. This is the endpoint of the gradual increase that began in 1983. The Social Security Administration publishes a detailed chart on its website showing the exact full retirement age for each birth month and year. You can also call 1-800-772-1213 to confirm your full retirement age.

What happens if you claim before your full retirement age

You can begin claiming Social Security as early as age 62, but your monthly benefit will be permanently lower than your full retirement age amount. The reduction is substantial — roughly 30 percent less per month if you claim at 62 and your full retirement age is 67. This reduced amount stays with you for life, even after you reach your full retirement age.

There is one exception: if you are still working and earning above a certain threshold, Social Security will withhold part of your benefit. For 2024, if you claim before your full retirement age and earn more than $23,400 per year, Social Security withholds $1 for every $2 you earn above that amount. Once you reach your full retirement age, this earnings limit no longer applies.

What happens if you delay claiming past your full retirement age

For every year you delay claiming Social Security past your full retirement age, your monthly benefit increases by about 8 percent per year. This increase continues until age 70. If your full retirement age is 67 and you wait until 70 to claim, your monthly benefit will be roughly 24 percent higher than your full retirement age amount.

Delaying makes the most sense if you are in good health and expect to live well into your 80s or beyond. The higher monthly payment can add up over time. However, if you need the money now or have health concerns, claiming at your full retirement age or earlier may be the right choice for your situation.

Why Congress has not changed the full retirement age

The full retirement age schedule was part of a major 1983 reform to Social Security. At that time, lawmakers gradually increased the full retirement age from 65 to 67 to reflect longer life expectancy and to help stabilize the program's finances. That gradual increase took place over many years and ended in 2003.

Since then, no change to the full retirement age has been enacted into law. While some policymakers and researchers have proposed raising it further, Congress has not voted on or passed any such change. Any modification to the full retirement age would require a new law passed by Congress and signed by the President.

How to find your exact full retirement age

The Social Security Administration provides several ways to find your full retirement age. You can visit ssa.gov and use their retirement age calculator, which asks for your birth date and shows your full retirement age instantly. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and speak with a representative who can confirm your full retirement age and answer questions about when to claim.

If you have a my Social Security account online, you can log in and view your full retirement age along with an estimate of your future benefits. Creating an account takes a few minutes and requires your Social Security number, email address, and a way to verify your identity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has the full retirement age changed in the last five years?

No. The full retirement age schedule has remained the same since 2003, when the gradual increase from the 1983 law was completed. Your full retirement age is determined solely by your birth year and has not shifted.

Will my full retirement age change when I turn a certain age?

No. Your full retirement age is fixed based on your birth year and does not change as you age. It was set the moment you were born and will remain the same throughout your life.

What is the difference between full retirement age and early retirement age?

Early retirement age is 62, the earliest you can claim Social Security. Full retirement age is when you can claim your complete benefit amount without any reduction. If you claim before your full retirement age, your monthly benefit is permanently reduced.

If I was born in 1960, is my full retirement age really 67?

Yes. Anyone born in 1960 or later has a full retirement age of 67. This is the final step of the increase that began in 1983. You can still claim as early as 62, but your benefit will be reduced if you do.

Can I find out when I should claim based on my health and finances?

Social Security does not make that recommendation, but you can speak with a financial advisor or use online calculators that compare different claiming ages. The Social Security Administration's website also has resources explaining the trade-offs of claiming early, at full retirement age, or delayed.