Full retirement age calculator
Your full retirement age for Social Security depends on your birth year: 66 if you were born from 1943 to 1954, rising by two months a year for 1955 to 1959, and 67 if you were born in 1960 or later. If you were born on January 1, use the previous year. Enter your birth date to see the exact month.
Last reviewed
Your full retirement age
1943 to 2008
From your my Social Security statement
Full retirement age
67
You reach it in
April 2029
Benefit at 62
70%
Claiming at 62 gives you 70% of your full benefit, for life.
Full retirement age by year of birth
Full retirement age (FRA) is the age at which you receive 100% of the benefit calculated from your earnings record. Social Security publishes it by year of birth.
| Year of birth | Full retirement age |
|---|---|
| 1943 to 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 |
Why a January 1 or first-of-the-month birthday changes the answer
Social Security considers you to reach an age on the day before your birthday. So if you were born on January 1, you use the previous year's row: a January 1, 1960 birthday has a full retirement age of 66 and 10 months, not 67. If you were born on the first of any month, your benefit is figured as if you were born in the previous month. The calculator applies both rules.
How much less do I get if I claim at 62?
Claiming before full retirement age reduces your own benefit permanently. The reduction is five-ninths of 1% for each of the first 36 months before FRA, and five-twelfths of 1% for each month beyond that. With an FRA of 67, claiming at 62 means 60 months early, which works out to 70% of your full benefit.
Waiting past FRA adds delayed retirement credits of two-thirds of 1% per month (8% a year) for anyone born in 1943 or later, until age 70. With an FRA of 67, waiting to 70 gives 124%.
| Claim at | Percent of full benefit |
|---|---|
| 62 | 70% |
| 63 | 75% |
| 64 | 80% |
| 65 | 86.67% |
| 66 | 93.33% |
| 67 | 100% |
| 68 | 108% |
| 69 | 116% |
| 70 | 124% |
What this calculator does not cover
Spousal benefits are reduced by a different formula, and survivor benefits use a separate full retirement age table. The earnings test can also withhold benefits temporarily if you work while claiming before FRA. These rules matter most to women, who are more likely to claim on a spouse's record or as a widow. The book below walks through each of them with sources.
Frequently asked questions
Is full retirement age the same as Medicare age?
No. Medicare eligibility starts at 65 for most people, regardless of your full retirement age for Social Security.
Can I change my mind after I claim?
Social Security allows you to withdraw an application within 12 months of first becoming entitled, but you must repay the benefits you received. Check the current rules with Social Security before relying on this.
Where do I find my benefit amount at full retirement age?
Sign in to your my Social Security account at ssa.gov. Your statement shows estimates at 62, at full retirement age and at 70. Enter the FRA amount here to see estimates for other ages.