Calculator
Full retirement age calculator
Enter your birth date: the month you reach each milestone and the percentage of your benefit at 62, FRA and 70.
Your full retirement age67reached in June 2029
| Earliest retirement benefit (62) | June 2024 · 70% of full |
|---|---|
| Months early at 62 | 60 months |
| Full retirement age (100%) | June 2029 |
| Maximum delayed credits (70) | June 2032 · 124% of full |
| Spouse’s benefit at 62 | 65% of 50% |
| Survivor full retirement age | 67 |
| Medicare eligibility (65) | June 2027 |
Social Security considers you to reach an age the day before your birthday. If you were born on the 1st of a month, your dates move one month earlier.
The link keeps your inputs, so you can save or share this scenario.
Full retirement age chart
Full retirement age (FRA) rises by two months for each birth year from 1955 to 1959 and reaches 67 for everyone born in 1960 or later, under the 1983 Social Security Amendments[nra][cfr409]. Claiming before FRA reduces the benefit permanently; delayed retirement credits raise it until 70.
| Born | Full retirement age | Months early at 62 | Your benefit at 62 | Spouse’s benefit at 62 | Your benefit at 70 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1943–1954 | 66 | 48 | 75% | 35% | 132% |
| 1955 | 66 and 2 months | 50 | 74.17% | 34.58% | 130.7% |
| 1956 | 66 and 4 months | 52 | 73.33% | 34.17% | 129.3% |
| 1957 | 66 and 6 months | 54 | 72.5% | 33.75% | 128% |
| 1958 | 66 and 8 months | 56 | 71.67% | 33.33% | 126.7% |
| 1959 | 66 and 10 months | 58 | 70.83% | 32.92% | 125.3% |
| 1960 and later | 67 | 60 | 70% | 32.5% | 124% |
The spouse column is a share of the worker's full benefit: half of the PIA, reduced by 25/36 of 1% a month for the first 36 months early and 5/12 of 1% after that[early]. People born on January 1 use the previous year's row, because the SSA treats everyone as reaching an age the day before their birthday[agered].
How the age reduction and delayed credits work
Each month you claim before FRA cuts your benefit by 5/9 of 1% for the first 36 months and 5/12 of 1% for each month beyond 36[cfr410]. For someone born in 1962, claiming at 62 is 60 months early: 36 × 5/9% = 20% plus 24 × 5/12% = 10%, a 30% cut. Each month you wait past FRA adds 2/3 of 1% (8% a year) until 70; there is no credit for waiting beyond 70[drc].
Worked example
Maria was born on June 15, 1962, and her Social Security statement shows a full benefit of $2,000 at FRA. Her FRA is 67, reached in June 2029.
- At 62 and 1 month (July 2024 is the first full month she is 62): 59 months early, 20% + 23 × 5/12% = 29.58% less, about $1,408.
- At 67 (June 2029): $2,000.
- At 70 (June 2032): 36 months × 2/3% = 24% more, $2,480.
Most people cannot start at exactly 62: you must be 62 for the whole month, so unless you were born on the 1st or 2nd, your first possible month is 62 and 1 month[early]. Turn these percentages into dollars with the Social Security calculator, and compare total lifetime benefits with the break-even calculator.
Full retirement age for survivors and Medicare
Survivor benefits use a separate table that is two birth years behind: a widow or widower born in 1962 or later reaches survivor FRA at 67, while someone born in 1960 reaches it at 66 and 8 months[cfr409]. Survivor benefits can start at 60 at 71.5% (see the survivor benefits calculator). Medicare eligibility stays at 65 regardless of your FRA, so if you retire at 65 you may pay the Part B premium before Social Security starts.
| Born | Survivor FRA |
|---|---|
| 1945–1956 | 66 |
| 1957 | 66 and 2 months |
| 1958 | 66 and 4 months |
| 1959 | 66 and 6 months |
| 1960 | 66 and 8 months |
| 1961 | 66 and 10 months |
| 1962 and later | 67 |
Common mistakes about full retirement age
- Thinking FRA is 65. 65 is Medicare age. Social Security's full retirement age has been above 65 for everyone born after 1937.
- Assuming you can keep working without limits before FRA. Until the year you reach FRA, the earnings test withholds $1 for every $2 above $24,480 (2026) or $25,560 (2027); see the earnings limit page.
- Waiting past 70. Delayed credits stop at 70, so there is no gain from waiting longer, and benefits are paid back at most six months.
- Forgetting the spouse's reduction is larger. A spouse claiming at 62 gets 32.5% of the worker's PIA, not 35%, for anyone with an FRA of 67.
Not a choice you can undo cheaplyYou can withdraw an application within 12 months of starting benefits only by repaying everything received. After FRA you can voluntarily suspend benefits to earn delayed credits until 70.
Frequently asked questions
What is my full retirement age if I was born in 1960?
67. Everyone born in 1960 or later has a full retirement age of 67, unless born on January 1, 1960, which uses the 1959 age of 66 and 10 months.
Is full retirement age 66 or 67?
It is 66 for people born 1943–1954, between 66 and 2 months and 66 and 10 months for 1955–1959, and 67 for 1960 or later.
What percentage of Social Security do you get at 62?
70% of your full benefit if your full retirement age is 67, and between 70.83% and 74.17% for full retirement ages of 66 and 10 months down to 66 and 2 months. A spouse gets 32.5% of the worker’s full benefit at 62 with an FRA of 67.
Will the full retirement age go up to 69 or 70?
Not under current law. Proposals to raise it have been discussed, but the age is set by statute at 67 for people born in 1960 or later and would take an act of Congress to change.
Sources
- Normal retirement age by year of birth
- 20 CFR § 404.409, What is full retirement age?
- 20 CFR § 404.410, How does SSA reduce my benefits when my entitlement begins before full retirement age?
- Benefit reduction for early retirement
- Retirement benefits: Benefit reduction for early retirement (Benefits Planner)
- Delayed retirement credits by year of birth