Social Security Full Retirement Age: When To Claim Benefits
Full retirement age is 66–67 depending on birth year. How claiming at 62, 67, or 70 changes your monthly check — and the break-even math.
Full retirement age is 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later; claiming at 62 permanently cuts your benefit by about 30%, and waiting until 70 raises it by about 24%.
What you'll walk away with
Skim these first — then dig into the details below.
- 1Full retirement age (FRA) is 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later.
- 2Claiming at 62 reduces benefits roughly 30%; waiting to 70 increases them roughly 24%.
- 3Check your personalized estimate at SSA.gov before setting savings targets.
- 4Subtract expected Social Security from your spending need before applying the 25x rule.
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Social Security is the largest income source for most American retirees, and the claiming age you choose locks in your monthly amount for life.
The spread between the earliest and latest claim can exceed $1,000 a month on the same earnings record.
Full retirement age by birth year
FRA is the age at which you receive 100% of your calculated benefit.
- Born 1943–1954: FRA is 66.
- Born 1955–1959: FRA rises in two-month steps toward 67.
- Born 1960 or later: FRA is 67.
- Claiming before FRA is a permanent reduction, not a temporary one.
- Delaying past FRA earns credits up to age 70, after which there is no further increase.
Comparing 62, 67, and 70
Each option is right for someone. The question is which one fits your health, savings, and work plans.
- Claim at 62: smallest monthly check but the most years of payments; useful if you need income or have health concerns.
- Claim at 67: your full calculated benefit with no reduction or credits.
- Claim at 70: the maximum, roughly 24% above FRA for those with an FRA of 67.
- The break-even for waiting typically falls somewhere around age 80.
Factors people forget
The claiming decision is rarely just about your own break-even.
- Spousal and survivor benefits: the higher earner delaying often protects the surviving spouse for life.
- The earnings test: claiming before FRA while still working can temporarily withhold benefits.
- Taxes: a portion of benefits is taxable once combined income passes certain thresholds.
- Medicare starts at 65 regardless of when you claim Social Security.
How to plan around it
Get the real numbers, then build the plan around the gap.
- 1
Create a my Social Security account at SSA.gov for your personalized estimates at 62, FRA, and 70.
- 2
Subtract the expected annual benefit from your planned annual spending.
- 3
Apply the 25x rule to the remaining shortfall — see how much you need to retire.
- 4
Plan which accounts to tap first using retirement withdrawal order.
- 5
Keep contributing in the meantime — check progress in the 401(k) calculator.
Disclaimer: This page includes AI-assisted educational content reviewed for general accuracy. It is not personalized financial, tax, or legal advice. Verify numbers with a qualified professional and our editorial standards.
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