Your full retirement age depends on when you were born
The age at which you receive your full Social Security retirement benefit — called your full retirement age or normal retirement age — is determined by your birth year. The Social Security Administration set this schedule in 1983 and it applies to everyone born in 1943 or later. If you were born before 1943, your full retirement age is 65.
You can claim Social Security as early as age 62, but claiming before your full retirement age means a permanently reduced monthly payment. You can also delay claiming past your full retirement age until age 70, which increases your monthly benefit. The chart below shows the exact full retirement age for each birth year and the percentage reduction or increase you receive if you claim early or late.
Key Takeaways
- Your full retirement age ranges from 65 to 67 depending on your birth year, with the age gradually increasing for people born between 1943 and 1960.
- Claiming at 62 reduces your monthly benefit by 25 to 30 percent, depending on your birth year, and that reduction is permanent for your lifetime.
- Delaying your claim until age 70 increases your monthly benefit by 24 to 32 percent above your full retirement age amount, also permanent for life.
- The Social Security Administration uses your birth certificate to verify your birth date, so errors on your process can delay processing.
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 or later | 67 |
The gradual increase from age 66 to 67 happened over a 22-year period. Congress designed this schedule to account for longer life expectancy. If you were born in 1943, your full retirement age is exactly 66. If you were born in 1960 or later, your full retirement age is 67. The two-month increments in between explore to each birth year from 1955 to 1959.
Your full retirement age is the point at which Social Security considers you may have access to to your primary insurance amount — the full benefit you earned based on your work record. This is different from the earliest age you can claim (62) and the latest age with increased benefits (70).
How much your benefit changes if you claim early
Claiming Social Security before your full retirement age results in a permanent reduction to your monthly payment. The reduction is larger the earlier you claim. If you claim at 62 — the earliest possible age — your reduction ranges from 25 to 30 percent depending on your birth year.
| Birth Year | Full Retirement Age | Reduction at Age 62 |
|---|---|---|
| 1943–1954 | 66 | 25% |
| 1955 | 66 and 2 months | 25.83% |
| 1956 | 66 and 4 months | 26.67% |
| 1957 | 66 and 6 months | 27.5% |
| 1958 | 66 and 8 months | 28.33% |
| 1959 | 66 and 10 months | 29.17% |
| 1960 or later | 67 | 30% |
The reduction applies every month you claim before your full retirement age. If you claim at 63 instead of 62, your reduction is smaller but still permanent. If you claim at 64, the reduction is even smaller. The Social Security Administration calculates the exact reduction based on the number of months between age 62 and your full retirement age.
This reduction stays in place for the rest of your life. If you claim at 62 and live to 90, you will receive the reduced amount every month for those 28 years. This is why some people wait — the break-even point (the age at which waiting becomes financially better) typically occurs in the late 70s or early 80s, depending on your birth year and health.
How much your benefit increases if you delay past full retirement age
For every year you delay claiming Social Security past your full retirement age, your monthly benefit increases by 8 percent per year until age 70. This means if your full retirement age is 66 and you wait until 70, your benefit increases by 32 percent. If your full retirement age is 67 and you wait until 70, your benefit increases by 24 percent.
| Full Retirement Age | Increase at Age 70 |
|---|---|
| 66 | 32% |
| 66 and 2 months | 31.33% |
| 66 and 4 months | 30.67% |
| 66 and 6 months | 30% |
| 66 and 8 months | 29.33% |
| 66 and 10 months | 28.67% |
| 67 | 24% |
The increase stops at age 70. There is no financial benefit to waiting past 70 to claim Social Security. The 8 percent annual increase is may provide and does not depend on how long you live. Like the early-claiming reduction, this increase is permanent and applies to your benefit for the rest of your life.
Delayed retirement credits also affect any benefits paid to your family members on your work record. If you have a spouse or children who receive benefits based on your earnings, delaying your claim can increase their payments as well.
How to find your exact full retirement age
The Social Security Administration publishes a detailed chart on its website at ssa.gov that shows full retirement age by birth month and year. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to confirm your full retirement age. Have your birth certificate or another form of identification ready when you call.
Your Social Security Statement — a document you can view online at ssa.gov/myaccount — also lists your full retirement age. You can create a free account using your email address and Social Security number. The statement shows your earnings record and estimates of what you might receive at different claiming ages.
If you believe there is an error in your birth date on Social Security's records, you will need to contact your local Social Security office in person. Bring your original birth certificate or a certified copy. Processing corrections can take several weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim Social Security before age 62?
No. Age 62 is the earliest age anyone can claim Social Security retirement benefits, regardless of birth year. If you are still working and want to delay claiming, you can continue to earn credits toward your benefit until age 70.
Does my full retirement age change if I work longer?
No. Your full retirement age is fixed based on your birth year and does not change. However, working longer can increase your benefit amount because Social Security bases your payment on your highest 35 years of earnings. Adding more work years may replace lower-earning years in that calculation.
What happens to my benefit if I claim at my full retirement age?
You receive your full primary insurance amount with no reduction and no increase. This is the baseline benefit Social Security calculated based on your work record. You can then choose to claim earlier for less or delay for more.
Is my full retirement age the same as my Medicare may be able to access age?
No. You become may be able to access for Medicare at age 65, regardless of your Social Security full retirement age. You can claim Social Security at 62 even if you are not yet may be able to access for Medicare. You can also delay Social Security past 65 while already receiving Medicare.
What if I was born on January 1st — which year's rules explore to me?
If you were born on January 1st, Social Security treats you as if you were born on December 31st of the previous year. So if you were born on January 1, 1955, you fall under the 1954 birth year rules and your full retirement age is 66, not 66 and 2 months.