Full retirement age is the age at which you can claim your full Social Security benefit without any reduction, and it has risen for people born after 1954
Your full retirement age (also called normal retirement age) is not 65 anymore for most people. If you were born in 1955 or later, you will need to wait longer than 65 to receive your full benefit amount. The age has been gradually increasing since 2000 and will continue to rise until it reaches 67 for people born in 1960 or later.
This change was written into law in 1983 as a way to adjust Social Security for longer lifespans. The shift happened gradually over decades so people had time to plan. If you were born between 1943 and 1954, your full retirement age is 66. If you were born in 1960 or later, it is 67. If you were born between those years, your full retirement age falls somewhere in between — typically 66 and a few months.
You can still claim benefits before your full retirement age, but the amount will be permanently reduced. You can also wait past your full retirement age to claim, and your benefit will increase for each year you delay, up to age 70.
Key Takeaways
- Full retirement age has risen from 65 to 67 for people born in 1960 or later, with gradual increases for those born between 1943 and 1960.
- Claiming before your full retirement age reduces your monthly benefit permanently, while claiming after it increases your benefit.
- You can find your specific full retirement age on your Social Security statement or by using the Social Security Administration's online calculator.
- If you claim at 62 (the earliest age allowed), your benefit will be roughly 30 percent lower than if you waited until your full retirement age.
- The change was phased in over 22 years to give workers time to adjust their retirement planning.
How the full retirement age schedule works
The Social Security Administration increased full retirement age on a year-by-year schedule. For each birth year, the age went up by two months, with some gaps where it stayed the same. This means your full retirement age depends entirely on the month and year you were born.
If you were born between January 2 and October 31, 1954, your full retirement age is 66 and 6 months. If you were born between November 1 and December 31, 1954, it is 66 and 8 months. The increases continue through 1959, and then everyone born in 1960 or later has a full retirement age of 67. You can look up your exact full retirement age on your Social Security statement, which the Social Security Administration mails to you each year, or you can use their online retirement age calculator at ssa.gov.
What happens if you claim before full retirement age
You can claim Social Security as early as age 62, but your monthly benefit will be permanently lower than your full retirement age amount. The reduction is not temporary — it applies to every payment you receive for the rest of your life. The earlier you claim, the larger the reduction.
If your full retirement age is 67 and you claim at 62, your benefit will be about 30 percent lower than your full amount. If you claim at 63, it will be about 25 percent lower. At 64, about 20 percent lower. At 65, about 13 percent lower. These percentages are set by law and do not change based on your personal situation.
There is an exception: if you are still working when you claim before your full retirement age, the Social Security Administration will reduce your benefit further if your earnings exceed a certain limit. For 2024, that limit is $23,400 per year. Once you reach your full retirement age, there is no earnings limit and no reduction, no matter how much you work.
What happens if you delay past full retirement age
If you wait to claim Social Security after your full retirement age, your monthly benefit increases by a percentage for each year you delay. This increase is called a delayed retirement credit. The increase stops at age 70, so there is no financial benefit to waiting past that age.
The increase is roughly 8 percent per year. If your full retirement age is 67 and you wait until 68, your benefit goes up by about 8 percent. If you wait until 70, your benefit will be about 24 percent higher than your full retirement age amount. This higher amount also applies to any survivor benefits your family members may receive based on your record.
Delaying makes the most sense if you are in good health, expect to live into your mid-80s or beyond, or do not need the money right away. If you have a shorter life expectancy or need the income sooner, claiming earlier may be the better choice for your situation.
How the change affects different birth years
| Birth Year | Full Retirement Age |
|---|---|
| 1943–1954 | 66 |
| 1955 | 66 and 2 months |
| 1956 | 66 and 4 months |
| 1957 | 66 and 6 months |
| 1958 | 66 and 8 months |
| 1959 | 66 and 10 months |
| 1960 and later | 67 |
The gradual increase means that someone born in 1955 will wait two months longer than someone born in 1954. Someone born in 1960 will wait a full year longer than someone born in 1959. This staggered approach gave workers born in different years time to adjust their retirement plans without a sudden jump.
How to find your full retirement age
The easiest way to find your full retirement age is to check your Social Security statement. The Social Security Administration sends this statement by mail each year to people age 60 and older who are not yet receiving benefits. Your statement shows your full retirement age clearly at the top.
If you do not have your statement handy, you can create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov and view your statement online. You can also call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 to ask about your full retirement age. A representative can tell you the exact age based on your birth date in just a few minutes.
The Social Security Administration also has a retirement age calculator on their website that lets you enter your birth date and see your full retirement age instantly. This tool is free and does not require you to create an account.
Planning your claiming strategy
Deciding when to claim Social Security is a personal choice that depends on your health, your need for income, your work status, and your family situation. There is no single "right" age for everyone. Someone who needs income immediately may claim at 62, while someone who is still working and in good health might wait until 70.
If you are married, you may want to think about how your claiming age affects your spouse's benefits. If you are divorced, you may be able to claim based on your ex-spouse's record under certain conditions. If you have dependents, your claiming age affects the benefits they can receive. These situations are complex, and the Social Security Administration can answer specific questions about your record.
Before you claim, review your Social Security statement to make sure your earnings record is correct. Errors in your record can lower your benefit permanently. You can correct errors by contacting the Social Security Administration directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim Social Security at 62 even though my full retirement age is 67?
Yes. You can claim as early as 62, but your benefit will be about 30 percent lower than your full retirement age amount. This reduction is permanent and applies to every payment you receive for life.
Does my full retirement age affect Medicare may be able to access?
No. You become may be able to access for Medicare at 65 regardless of your full retirement age. You can claim Social Security at 62 and still wait until 65 to enroll in Medicare, or you can delay Social Security and enroll in Medicare at 65.
If I was born in 1960, is my full retirement age definitely 67?
Yes. Everyone born in 1960 or later has a full retirement age of 67. The gradual increases ended with the 1960 birth cohort.
What if I claimed early and now regret it?
You can withdraw your claim within 12 months of claiming and repay the benefits you received. This resets your record as if you never claimed. After 12 months, you cannot withdraw, but you can suspend your benefits at your full retirement age and let them grow until age 70.
Does working after I claim Social Security affect my benefit?
Only if you claim before your full retirement age and earn more than the annual limit. For 2024, that limit is $23,400 per year. Once you reach your full retirement age, you can earn any amount without a reduction to your benefit.