Full Retirement Age Is When You Can Claim Your Full Benefit Amount
Full Retirement Age (FRA) is the age at which Social Security calculates your benefit based on your complete earnings record, with no reduction for early claiming. If you were born between 1943 and 1954, your FRA is 66. If you were born between 1955 and 1960, it rises in two-month increments — someone born in 1957 has an FRA of 66 and 6 months. If you were born in 1960 or later, your FRA is 67.
This age matters because it determines three things: the size of your monthly check if you wait until then, how much less you get if you claim before it, and how much more you get if you claim after it. You can claim as early as 62, but your payment will be permanently smaller. You can wait until 70, and your payment will be permanently larger.
FRA is not the same as when you must claim. You can work past your full retirement age and delay your claim. You can also claim before your FRA if you choose to, accepting a reduced payment. The age itself is straightforward the reference point Social Security uses to do the math.
Key Takeaways
- Full Retirement Age depends on your birth year: 66 for those born 1943–1954, rising to 67 for those born 1960 or later, with two-month increases for years in between.
- Claiming before your FRA reduces your monthly payment by roughly 6 to 7 percent for each year you claim early, and this reduction is permanent.
- Claiming after your FRA increases your monthly payment by 8 percent for each year you delay, up until age 70, when the increase stops.
- You can work and earn income after reaching your FRA without any reduction to your Social Security payment.
- Your FRA is printed on your Social Security statement, which you can view online at ssa.gov or request by mail.
How Your Birth Year Determines Full Retirement Age
Social Security raised the full retirement age gradually starting in 2000 because people were living longer. The table below shows the exact FRA for each 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 |
If you were born on January 1 of any year, Social Security counts you as born in the previous year for FRA purposes. If you were born on the 2nd or later, you use the year shown on your birth certificate.
You can find your exact FRA on your Social Security statement. Log in to ssa.gov/myaccount to view it online, or call 1-800-772-1213 to request a paper statement by mail. The statement lists your FRA clearly and also shows your estimated benefit amounts at different claiming ages.
What Happens If You Claim Before Full Retirement Age
If you claim Social Security before reaching your FRA, your monthly payment is reduced. The reduction is permanent — it does not increase later when you reach your FRA or turn 70. The exact reduction depends on how many months early you claim.
If your FRA is 66 and you claim at 62, you are claiming 48 months early. Social Security reduces your payment by roughly 25 percent. If you claim at 65, you are 12 months early, and the reduction is roughly 6 to 7 percent. The reduction is steeper the earlier you claim because Social Security assumes you will receive benefits for a longer period of time.
One exception: if you were born before January 2, 1954, you may be able to claim a spousal benefit or survivor benefit at your FRA while letting your own retirement benefit grow until 70. This strategy is no longer available to people born in 1954 or later, but if you fall into the earlier group, a Social Security representative can explain whether it applies to you.
What Happens If You Claim After Full Retirement Age
If you delay claiming past your FRA, your monthly payment increases by 8 percent for each year you wait, up until age 70. After 70, the payment stops increasing, so there is no financial reason to delay beyond that age.
If your FRA is 66 and you wait until 70, you will receive 32 percent more per month than if you had claimed at 66 (four years × 8 percent). This larger payment lasts for the rest of your life and is also passed to your surviving spouse or children if you die.
Delaying makes the most sense if you are in good health, have family history of longevity, or do not need the money when ready. The longer you live, the more total money you receive by waiting. If you have serious health concerns or limited life expectancy, claiming earlier may result in more total lifetime benefits.
Earnings Limits If You Claim Before Full Retirement Age
If you claim Social Security before reaching your FRA and you continue to work, Social Security will reduce your benefit by $1 for every $2 you earn above an annual limit. For 2024, that limit is $23,400. In the year you reach your FRA, the limit is higher ($62,160 for earnings before the month you reach FRA), and the reduction is $1 for every $3 you earn above that amount.
Once you reach your full retirement age, you can earn as much as you want with no reduction to your benefit. This is true even if you have not yet claimed Social Security. Many people continue working past their FRA specifically because they can earn income without a penalty.
The earnings limit applies only to wages and self-employment income. It does not explore to investment income, pensions, annuities, or other sources of money. If you are unsure whether a particular income counts, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213.
How to Find Your Exact Full Retirement Age
The fastest way is to create an account at ssa.gov/myaccount. You will need your Social Security number, email address, and a way to verify your identity (usually a phone number or address on file with Social Security). Once logged in, your FRA appears on your Social Security Statement under "Retirement Benefits."
If you do not have internet access or prefer not to create an online account, call 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time. A representative will confirm your birth date and tell you your FRA. You can also visit a local Social Security office in person — find the nearest one at ssa.gov/locator.
Your FRA is also printed on any official Social Security correspondence you have received, such as a benefit award letter or annual earnings statement. If you have an old statement, the FRA listed on it is still correct (it does not change).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my mind after I claim Social Security?
If you claimed within the last 12 months, you can withdraw your claim and repay what you received. This resets your claim and lets you file again later at a higher amount. After 12 months, you cannot withdraw, but you can suspend your benefit at your FRA and let it grow until 70 — though this option is limited if you were born in 1954 or later.
Does my full retirement age change if I work longer?
No. Your FRA is fixed based on your birth year and never changes. Working longer does not change your FRA, but it may increase your benefit amount because Social Security recalculates your benefit using your updated earnings record.
What if I was born on December 31?
Social Security treats you as if you were born on January 1 of the following year. So if your birth certificate says December 31, 1955, Social Security counts you as born January 1, 1956, which means your FRA is 66 and 4 months instead of 66 and 2 months.
Does my spouse's full retirement age affect mine?
No. Each person has their own FRA based on their own birth year. Your spouse's FRA does not change yours, though it may affect the spousal or survivor benefits available to them.
What if I do not know my exact birth date?
Contact Social Security with whatever documentation you have — a birth certificate, passport, or driver's license. They can confirm your birth date and calculate your FRA. Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local office with your documents.