Full retirement age for Social Security
Full retirement age is 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later, and between 66 and 67 for people born from 1943 to 1959. You can start as early as 62 for less, or wait until 70 for more.
Born on January 1? Use the year before.
The amount Social Security shows for your full retirement age.
Your full retirement age, born in 1962
67
- Start at 62 (30% less)
- $1,400.00 a month
- Start at full retirement age
- $2,000.00 a month
- Wait until 70 (24% more)
- $2,480.00 a month
Before cost-of-living increases. The age-62 reduction is the Social Security Administration's own approximate percentage.
Full retirement age by year of birth
| Year of birth | Full retirement age | Reduction if you start at 62 | A $1,000 benefit becomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1943 to 1954 | 66 | 25.00% | $750 |
| 1955 | 66 and 2 months | 25.83% | $741 |
| 1956 | 66 and 4 months | 26.67% | $733 |
| 1957 | 66 and 6 months | 27.50% | $725 |
| 1958 | 66 and 8 months | 28.33% | $716 |
| 1959 | 66 and 10 months | 29.17% | $708 |
| 1960 and later | 67 | 30.00% | $700 |
Starting early
You can start retirement benefits as early as age 62, but you are entitled to full benefits only when you reach full retirement age. If you start early, your benefit is reduced a small percentage for each month before full retirement age. You must be at least 62 for the entire month to receive benefits.
Waiting past full retirement age
For anyone born in 1943 or later, the benefit rises by 2/3 of 1% for each month you wait beyond full retirement age, which is 8% for every 12 months. The increase stops when you reach age 70.
Medicare still starts at 65
If you delay your benefits past 65, the Social Security Administration says you should still apply for Medicare within 3 months of your 65th birthday. Waiting longer may make Part B and Part D cost more.
Questions people ask
What is full retirement age if I was born in 1960 or later?
It is 67.
How much is my benefit reduced if I start at 62?
For someone born in 1960 or later the Social Security Administration puts the reduction at about 30%, so a $1,000 benefit becomes $700. For people born from 1943 to 1954 it is 25%.
How much more do I get for waiting past full retirement age?
For anyone born in 1943 or later, 8% for each 12 months you wait, credited at 2/3 of 1% a month. The increase stops at age 70.
Check our work
Every figure on this page was read from these official documents. Follow the links and compare.
- Retirement Age and Benefit ReductionSocial Security Administration. Read on November 12, 2026.
- Delayed Retirement CreditsSocial Security Administration. Read on November 12, 2026.