| Year of Birth | Full Retirement Age | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1937 or earlier | 65 | Original full retirement age |
| 1938–1959 | 66 to 66 and 10 months | Gradual increase by birth year |
| 1960 or later | 67 | Current standard retirement age |
| All birth years | Up to age 70 | Delayed credits increase benefits |
Planning your retirement is one of the most important financial decisions you’ll ever make. One key factor that affects how much you receive from Social Security is your full retirement age (FRA).
Understanding when you reach this milestone — and what happens if you claim benefits earlier or later — can help you maximize your monthly income and avoid costly mistakes.
Before making any decision, confirm your exact full retirement age by birth year, as your FRA depends entirely on when you were born.
If you are at an early stage of planning, you may also find our retirement planning guide useful for building a solid long-term strategy.
What Does Full Retirement Age Mean?
Related Social Security Guides
Full retirement age (FRA) is the age at which you become eligible to receive 100% of your Social Security retirement benefits. This age is based on your year of birth and is defined by the Social Security Administration .
Reaching full retirement age does not require you to stop working. However, it does influence how your monthly benefits are calculated if you choose to claim them before or after this point.
How Retirement Age Is Determined by Birth Year
Your official retirement age depends on the year you were born. While it was once set at 65 for everyone, it has gradually increased as life expectancy has risen.
For most people retiring today, full retirement age falls between 66 and 67. If you were born in 1960 or later, your full retirement age is 67.
You can view the complete breakdown in our detailed full retirement age by birth year chart .
What Happens If You Claim Social Security Early?
You can begin claiming Social Security benefits as early as age 62. However, doing so results in a permanent reduction to your monthly payments.
The earlier you claim benefits before reaching full retirement age, the larger the reduction will be.
If you’re considering early retirement, read our full explanation on what happens if you retire at 62 to see exactly how much your benefits may be reduced.
To understand the broader timing tradeoffs, read our guide on when you should claim Social Security benefits .
What Happens If You Delay Social Security Benefits?
Delaying Social Security benefits beyond your normal retirement age can increase your monthly income. These increases are known as delayed retirement credits.
For each year you delay benefits up to age 70, your monthly payment grows. This strategy can significantly increase lifetime income.
To compare how monthly payments change at different ages, see our full comparison in Social Security benefits by age .
How to Decide the Best Age to Claim Social Security
The ideal time to claim Social Security benefits depends on your personal circumstances, including:
- Your overall health and expected longevity
- Your current income and savings
- Whether you plan to continue working
- Your long-term retirement and financial goals
Understanding how Social Security fits into your broader retirement strategy is essential. For a full overview, see our guide on Social Security benefits explained .
You can also review how this integrates with your savings in our retirement income planning guide .
Full Retirement Age vs Early and Delayed Retirement
Understanding the differences between full retirement age, early retirement, and delayed retirement is essential when planning your Social Security strategy.
Claiming benefits before reaching full retirement age leads to a permanent reduction in monthly income. Over time, this reduction can result in thousands of dollars less in total benefits.
In contrast, delaying benefits beyond full retirement age increases your payments through delayed retirement credits. These credits stop accumulating at age 70.
For a detailed side-by-side breakdown, see:
Final Thoughts
Knowing your full retirement age is essential when planning for retirement in the United States. It directly affects how much you receive each month and how long your benefits last.
Taking the time to understand early, full, and delayed claiming options allows you to avoid unnecessary reductions and make informed decisions that maximize your Social Security income over your lifetime.
FAQ: Full Retirement Age
What is full retirement age for Social Security?
Full retirement age (FRA) is the age at which you qualify for 100% of your Social Security retirement benefit. For most people today, FRA is between 66 and 67 depending on birth year.
Is full retirement age the same as Medicare age?
No. Medicare eligibility begins at age 65, while full retirement age depends on your year of birth.
Can I work after reaching full retirement age?
Yes. Once you reach full retirement age, there is no earnings limit penalty for working while receiving Social Security benefits.
What happens if I claim before full retirement age?
Your benefit is permanently reduced. The earlier you claim before FRA, the larger the reduction.
