Social Security's full retirement age moves to 67 for people born in 1960
The full retirement age — the age at which Social Security calculates your benefit at 100 percent — reaches 67 in 2026. This applies to anyone born in 1960. If you were born before 1960, your full retirement age is already set at 66 or 66 and a few months. If you were born in 1961 or later, your full retirement age will be 67 or higher.
This change does not mean you must wait until 67 to claim Social Security. You can still claim as early as 62, but your monthly payment will be smaller. You can also wait past 67 and receive a larger payment. The full retirement age straightforward marks the point where Social Security stops reducing your benefit for early claiming or increasing it for delayed claiming.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) raised the full retirement age gradually starting in 2003 because people are living longer. The shift from 66 to 67 happened over several years, and 2026 is when it finishes for the cohort born in 1960.
Key Takeaways
- People born in 1960 will have a full retirement age of 67, meaning they receive their full Social Security benefit at that age with no reduction.
- Claiming before age 67 results in a permanent reduction to your monthly benefit — the earlier you claim, the smaller the reduction.
- Delaying your claim past 67 increases your monthly benefit by 8 percent per year until age 70, when increases stop.
- Your birth year determines your full retirement age; the SSA website shows the exact age for your year of birth.
How claiming age affects your monthly payment
Social Security reduces your benefit by a fixed percentage for each month you claim before your full retirement age. The reduction is permanent — it applies to every payment you receive for the rest of your life. If your full retirement age is 67 and you claim at 62, you lose roughly 30 percent of your benefit. If you claim at 65, you lose roughly 13 percent.
The exact reduction depends on your birth month and year. The SSA publishes reduction tables on its website, or you can call 1-800-772-1213 to ask for your specific reduction. Some people claim early because they need the money now, even though the trade-off is a smaller payment later. Others claim early because they do not expect to live into their 80s. Both are valid reasons, but the choice is permanent.
If you delay claiming past 67, your benefit grows by 8 percent per year. At 70, your benefit stops growing. Someone born in 1960 who waits from 67 to 70 receives roughly 24 percent more per month than they would at 67. This larger payment also lasts for life, and it can be valuable if you expect to live into your mid-80s or beyond.
Full retirement age by birth year
| 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 | 67 |
| 1961 and later | 67 |
The SSA stopped raising the full retirement age after 1960. Everyone born in 1961 or later has a full retirement age of 67. This table shows the exact age for your birth year. If you were born on January 1, you use the prior year's age; if you were born on any other date, you use the year listed.
Earnings limits if you claim before full retirement age
If you claim Social Security before your full retirement age and continue working, the SSA reduces your benefit based on your earnings. In 2026, if you earn more than $23,400 per year (this amount changes yearly), Social Security deducts $1 from your benefit for every $2 you earn above that limit. The reduction stops the month you reach your full retirement age.
This earnings limit applies only to you, not to your spouse or children who receive benefits on your record. It also does not explore once you reach your full retirement age — you can earn any amount without losing benefits. Many people do not know about this rule and are surprised when their benefit is reduced. If you plan to work while claiming early, contact the SSA before you claim to understand how your earnings will affect your payment.
Medicare may be able to access and the full retirement age
Your full retirement age for Social Security is separate from your Medicare may be able to access age. 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 wait until 65 to enroll in Medicare, or vice versa. The two programs do not have to align.
However, if you delay claiming Social Security past 65, you should still enroll in Medicare at 65 unless you have employer coverage. Waiting to enroll in Medicare can result in permanent late-enrollment penalties on your premiums. The SSA and Medicare are separate programs with separate rules, so plan for both.
How to find your exact full retirement age
The SSA provides a quick tool on its website at ssa.gov. Enter your birth date and it will show your full retirement age when ready. You can also call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time) and ask an agent. If you create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov, you can view your full retirement age and an estimate of your benefit at different claiming ages.
Your Social Security statement, which the SSA mails to you each year if you are not yet claiming, also lists your full retirement age. If you have lost your statement, you can request a new one through your my Social Security account or by calling the SSA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the full retirement age change affect when I can start claiming?
No. You can still claim Social Security as early as 62, regardless of your full retirement age. The full retirement age only determines when you receive your full benefit amount without reduction. Claiming earlier means a smaller monthly payment; claiming later means a larger one.
If I was born in 1959, what is my full retirement age?
Your full retirement age is 66 and 10 months. You can claim as early as 62, but your benefit will be reduced. At 66 and 10 months, you receive your full benefit. If you delay until 70, your benefit increases by 8 percent per year.
Can I change my claiming age after I start receiving benefits?
You can withdraw your claim within 12 months of starting and repay what you received, then claim again later at a higher amount. After 12 months, you cannot withdraw. Some people use this to correct a decision they regret, but it requires repaying all benefits received.
Does working longer affect my Social Security benefit amount?
Yes. Social Security calculates your benefit based on your 35 highest-earning years. If you work longer and earn more, those years may replace lower-earning years in the calculation, which can increase your benefit. The SSA can show you an estimate if you contact them or check your my Social Security account.
What happens to my spouse's benefits if my full retirement age is 67?
Your spouse can claim a benefit based on your record at their own full retirement age, which may differ from yours depending on their birth year. If your spouse claims early, their benefit is also reduced. The SSA can explain your spouse's options if you call or visit in person.