Starting January 1, 2026, the full retirement age (FRA) for Social Security will rise to 67 for individuals born in 1960 or later, marking the final step in a phased increase originally enacted in 1983. This milestone means that retiring at 65 is officially a thing of the past for new generations seeking full benefits.
Why the FRA Finally Reaches 67 ?
The 1983 Social Security Amendments introduced a gradual rise in FRA to ensure the program’s solvency amid aging demographics and longer life expectancy. Over 43 years, FRA increased in two-month increments, culminating in 67 for those born from 1960 onward.
Now, with FRA stabilised at 67 beyond 2026, the scheduled adjustments will cease—unless future reforms are enacted.
Social Security Retirement Age Charts
Full Retirement Age Chart – Birth Year 1959 (FRA = 66 + 10 months)
| Claim Age | Worker Benefit (% of FRA) |
|---|---|
| 62 | 70.8% |
| 65 | 87.8% |
| 66 | 94.4% |
| 66 years, 10 months | 100% (full benefit) |
Full Retirement Age Chart – Birth Year 1962 (FRA = 67)
| Claim Age | % of FRA Benefit |
|---|---|
| 62 | ~70% |
| 65 | ~87% |
| 67 | 100% |
To Recap:
Born in 1959
• Full Retirement Age = 66 years, 10 months
• Claiming early (age 62) reduces benefits to 70.8%
• Claiming at FRA yields 100%
Born in 1962 (or 1960+)
• Full Retirement Age = 67
• Claiming early (age 62) reduces benefits to ~70%
• Claiming at FRA yields 100%
How This Change Affects You
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Full Benefits: Those born in 1960 or later must wait until age 67 to receive 100% of benefits.
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Early Retirement: Available at age 62 with permanent reductions (up to 30%).
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Delayed Retirement Credits: From FRA to age 70, benefits increase by approximately 8% annually.
Cohort-specific Impacts
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1959-born individuals will turn FRA at 66 years, 10 months in late 2025.
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1960+ individuals now have a fixed FRA of 67 years, extending their pre-retirement period by up to two years.
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Benefit calculations—both for early and delayed claims—are adjusted accordingly.
Potential Social Security Retirement Age Change
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The FRA increase helps extend the life of Social Security’s trust funds, currently projected to deplete by 2034.
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A separate proposal seeks to raise FRA further to 69 by 2033—but experts estimate this would only delay insolvency by about one year.
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Lower-income workers and physically demanding occupations may be disproportionately affected by these higher FRA thresholds.
Planning Your Retirement: What You Can Do
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Confirm your exact FRA based on your birth year.
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Avoid early claims unless necessary, as benefits will be permanently reduced.
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Delay claiming benefits until at least FRA—optimal delay up to age 70.
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Boost savings via retirement accounts (401(k), Roth IRA, HSA) to supplement any Social Security reduction.
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Remember Medicare eligibility starts at 65, so plan healthcare coverage accordingly if retiring before FRA.
The 2026 FRA increase completes a four-decade policy shift and redefines expectations for retirement planning. Retiring at 65 without penalty now requires a longer work period. Staying informed, reassessing financial strategies, and adapting savings plans are essential steps for securing a comfortable future in this new landscape.
