US Social Security full retirement age and claiming timing
Understand full retirement age by birth year and how early or delayed retirement claims affect benefits. No projected benefit amounts or claiming recommendation.
On this page
- Born 1960 or later
- Full retirement age 67SSA, retirement age and benefit reduction
- Delayed benefit increases stop
- Age 70SSA, delayed retirement credits
Full retirement age by birth year
SSA's retirement-benefit table lists full retirement age as 66 for birth years 1943–1954; 66 and 2 months for 1955; 66 and 4 months for 1956; 66 and 6 months for 1957; 66 and 8 months for 1958; 66 and 10 months for 1959; and 67 for 1960 or later. For a January 1 birthday, SSA uses the previous birth year. Survivor-benefit full retirement age can differ. SSA, retirement age and benefit reduction (opens in a new tab).
Claiming before full retirement age
Retirement benefits can begin as early as age 62, with a reduction for each month before full retirement age. For someone born in 1960 or later, SSA's table shows a 30% retirement-benefit reduction at age 62. This is a percentage of the worker's full-retirement-age benefit, not a projected dollar entitlement or the spouse-benefit reduction. SSA, retirement age and benefit reduction (opens in a new tab).
Delayed retirement credits
Retirement benefits increase for each month claiming is delayed beyond full retirement age, with increases stopping at age 70. For people born in 1943 or later, SSA lists an 8.0% increase for a full year of delay. This guide covers retirement benefits only and does not project an entitlement, calculate taxes or recommend a claiming age. SSA, delayed retirement credits (opens in a new tab).
Savings-withdrawal illustration
A savings-withdrawal illustration does not calculate Social Security entitlements. Withdrawals from entered assumptions are illustrated by the US retirement income calculator (opens in a new tab).