Social Security full retirement age: chart by birth year
Quick answer: your full retirement age (FRA) is the age at which you get 100% of your Social Security retirement benefit. It is 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later. You can claim as early as 62, but your benefit is permanently reduced by up to 30%. If you wait past FRA, your benefit grows by 8% a year until age 70.
Full retirement age by year of birth
| Year of birth | Full retirement age | Benefit if claimed at 62 |
|---|---|---|
| 1943-1954 | 66 | 75% |
| 1955 | 66 and 2 months | 74.2% |
| 1956 | 66 and 4 months | 73.3% |
| 1957 | 66 and 6 months | 72.5% |
| 1958 | 66 and 8 months | 71.7% |
| 1959 | 66 and 10 months | 70.8% |
| 1960 and later | 67 | 70% |
If you were born on January 1, use the previous year.
How claiming age changes your benefit (FRA of 67)
| Claiming age | % of full benefit | Example if full benefit is $2,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 62 | 70% | $1,400 |
| 63 | 75% | $1,500 |
| 64 | 80% | $1,600 |
| 65 | 86.7% | $1,733 |
| 66 | 93.3% | $1,867 |
| 67 | 100% | $2,000 |
| 68 | 108% | $2,160 |
| 69 | 116% | $2,320 |
| 70 | 124% | $2,480 |
After 70 there is no further increase, so there is no reason to delay beyond that. Benefits also rise each year with the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), which was 2.8% for 2026.
Working while claiming before FRA: the 2026 earnings test
If you claim before full retirement age and keep working, Social Security temporarily withholds some benefits:
| Situation | 2026 earnings limit | Withholding |
|---|---|---|
| Under FRA all year | $24,480 | $1 for every $2 earned above the limit |
| Year you reach FRA (months before FRA) | $65,160 | $1 for every $3 earned above the limit |
| From the month you reach FRA | No limit | None |
Withheld benefits are not lost. Your monthly benefit is recalculated upward once you reach FRA.
When should you claim?
There is no single right age. Consider:
- Health and family longevity. If you expect a long life, delaying usually pays more in total.
- Marriage. Delaying by the higher earner raises the survivor benefit for the spouse.
- Other income and savings. Some people use savings in their 60s so they can delay Social Security. See the 4% rule.
- Work plans, because of the earnings test above.
The break-even point for delaying from 62 to 70 is typically around age 80 to 83.
Medicare is separate
Medicare eligibility starts at 65 regardless of your FRA. Sign up around your 65th birthday even if you delay Social Security, to avoid late enrollment penalties.
Frequently asked questions
What is full retirement age for someone born in 1962? 67.
Can I get Social Security at 62 and keep working? Yes, but benefits may be withheld if you earn over $24,480 in 2026.
Is full retirement age going to change? Proposals come up often, but current law sets it at 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later. Check ssa.gov for your personal estimate.
This article is general information, not financial advice.