Social Security Retirement Age Chart
The Social Security Retirement Age Chart is a financial reference tool covering social security retirement age chart, full retirement age chart, social security age chart, when to collect social security. Use the chart below to look up values instantly. Printable and downloadable versions are available on this page.
Full Retirement Age Chart by Birth Year
| Year of Birth | Full Retirement Age (FRA) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1937 and earlier | 65 years 0 months | Original Social Security FRA |
| 1938 | 65 years 2 months | — |
| 1939 | 65 years 4 months | — |
| 1940 | 65 years 6 months | — |
| 1941 | 65 years 8 months | — |
| 1942 | 65 years 10 months | — |
| 1943 to 1954 | 66 years 0 months | — |
| 1955 | 66 years 2 months | — |
| 1956 | 66 years 4 months | — |
| 1957 | 66 years 6 months | — |
| 1958 | 66 years 8 months | — |
| 1959 | 66 years 10 months | — |
| 1960 and later | 67 years 0 months | FRA is 67 for anyone born in 1960 or after |
Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) — ssa.gov
Social Security Benefit Reduction and Increase Chart
Claiming Social Security before your full retirement age permanently reduces your monthly benefit — waiting past FRA increases it by 8 percent per year up to age 70.
| Claiming Age | Approximate Benefit Adjustment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Age 62 (earliest eligibility) | 70% of full benefit — a 30% permanent reduction | Minimum age for most workers. Spousal benefits reduced to 65%. |
| Age 63 | 75% of full benefit | — |
| Age 64 | 80% of full benefit | — |
| Age 65 | 86.7% of full benefit | Medicare eligibility begins at 65 regardless of SS claiming age. |
| Age 66 | 93.3% of full benefit | — |
| Age 67 (FRA for born 1960+) | 100% of full benefit | Full Retirement Age — no reduction. |
| Age 68 | 108% of full benefit | Delayed retirement credits: +8% per year past FRA. |
| Age 69 | 116% of full benefit | — |
| Age 70 | 124% of full benefit — maximum benefit | No additional increase for waiting past age 70. |
Source: SSA delayed retirement credits — ssa.gov/retirement/1960.html
Social Security Key Facts
Break-even age — claiming at 62 vs 67 requires living to approximately age 78 to 80 for the later claim to pay out more in total lifetime benefits. Delaying to 70 requires living to approximately 82 to 83 to break even.
Spousal benefits — a spouse may receive up to 50 percent of their partner's FRA benefit. This is not affected by when the working spouse claims — but the non-working spouse must wait until the working spouse files.
Survivor benefits — a widowed spouse can receive up to 100 percent of the deceased spouse's benefit. Delaying the higher-earning spouse's claim to 70 maximises the survivor benefit.
Working while collecting — if you claim before FRA and continue to work the SSA withholds $1 of benefits for every $2 earned above the annual exempt amount ($22,320 in 2026). Benefits are recalculated upward at FRA to account for any months withheld.
Taxes — up to 85 percent of Social Security benefits may be taxable depending on combined income. Single filers with combined income above $34,000 may pay tax on 85% of benefits.
Social Security Optimizer
Enter your birth year and estimated monthly benefit at FRA to calculate lifetime benefits at claiming ages 62, FRA, and 70 — and find your break-even points.