What is full retirement age for Social Security in 2026? For most Americans retiring today, full retirement age is 67, depending on the year you were born, under current Social Security Administration guidelines.
Understanding full retirement age (FRA) is one of the most important steps in planning when to claim Social Security benefits. Your FRA determines when you qualify for 100% of your earned retirement benefit. Claim earlier, and your monthly payment is permanently reduced. Wait longer, and your benefit increases.
Here is a complete, fully updated explanation of full retirement age as of February 2026.
Table of Contents
What Is Full Retirement Age for Social Security?
Full retirement age is the age at which you can receive your full, unreduced Social Security retirement benefit.
The Social Security Administration sets FRA based on your birth year. Congress gradually increased the full retirement age from 65 to 67 under legislation passed in 1983. That increase has now fully phased in for younger retirees.
As of 2026:
- If you were born in 1960 or later, your full retirement age is 67.
- If you were born in 1959, your FRA is 66 years and 10 months.
- If you were born in 1958, your FRA is 66 years and 8 months.
Anyone turning 62 in 2026 was born in 1964, meaning their full retirement age will be 67.
Full Retirement Age by Birth Year
Here is a clear reference chart:
| Year of Birth | Full Retirement Age |
|---|---|
| 1958 | 66 and 8 months |
| 1959 | 66 and 10 months |
| 1960 or later | 67 |
The gradual increase ended with those born in 1960. At this time, there are no enacted changes raising FRA beyond 67.
Why Full Retirement Age Matters
Full retirement age affects three major areas:
- Your monthly benefit amount
- Earnings limits before FRA
- Spousal and survivor benefits timing
Claiming at FRA allows you to receive 100% of your calculated retirement benefit based on your lifetime earnings record.
Claiming Before Full Retirement Age
You can claim Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62. However, early filing permanently reduces your monthly payment.
For someone with a full retirement age of 67:
- Claiming at 62 results in about a 30% reduction in monthly benefits.
- The reduction remains in place for life.
Example:
If your full benefit at age 67 is $2,000 per month:
- At 62, your payment may be reduced to about $1,400 per month.
That reduction continues even after you reach 67.
Early filing may make sense for some individuals, but it significantly affects lifetime income.
Delaying Beyond Full Retirement Age
You can delay claiming Social Security past your FRA. For each year you wait beyond full retirement age, your benefit increases.
Delayed retirement credits add:
- 8% per year for each year you delay up to age 70.
If your FRA is 67 and you wait until 70:
- Your monthly benefit increases by about 24%.
Using the same $2,000 example:
- At 70, your monthly benefit may grow to roughly $2,480.
No additional credits apply after age 70. That makes 70 the maximum age for increasing retirement benefits.
How FRA Affects the Earnings Test
Before reaching full retirement age, Social Security applies an earnings test if you continue working.
For 2026:
- If you are under FRA all year, the annual earnings limit is $23,400.
- $1 in benefits is withheld for every $2 earned above that amount.
- If you reach FRA in 2026, the limit before your FRA month is $62,160.
- After reaching FRA, no earnings limit applies.
Once you hit full retirement age, you can earn unlimited wages without benefit reductions.
FRA and Spousal Benefits
Full retirement age also affects spousal benefits.
If you claim spousal benefits before FRA:
- The benefit is permanently reduced.
At FRA, a spouse can receive up to 50% of the higher-earning spouse’s full benefit.
If claimed early, the percentage decreases.
Example:
If the higher earner’s benefit at FRA is $2,400:
- The maximum spousal benefit at FRA is $1,200.
- Claiming early results in a smaller amount.
Understanding timing is essential for couples coordinating retirement income.
FRA and Survivor Benefits
Survivor benefits follow slightly different rules.
Widows and widowers can claim reduced survivor benefits as early as age 60. However, full survivor benefits are available at their survivor full retirement age.
Survivor FRA differs slightly from retirement FRA for some birth years but generally aligns with the gradual increase to 67.
Waiting until survivor FRA ensures 100% of the deceased spouse’s benefit amount.
Cost-of-Living Adjustments and FRA
Full retirement age does not affect cost-of-living adjustments (COLA). All eligible beneficiaries receive annual COLA increases regardless of when they claim.
In 2026, beneficiaries received a 2.5% COLA increase beginning in January.
That adjustment applies to:
- Retirees
- Disabled workers
- Survivor beneficiaries
However, your base benefit amount depends on when you claim relative to your FRA.
How Benefits Are Calculated
Your full retirement age benefit is based on:
- Your highest 35 years of earnings
- Indexed wage adjustments
- Social Security’s benefit formula
The SSA calculates your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). The PIA represents the benefit you receive at full retirement age.
Claim before FRA, and you receive a reduced percentage of your PIA. Claim after FRA, and you receive more than 100% of your PIA.
Common Misunderstandings About FRA
Many Americans misunderstand key aspects of full retirement age.
Misconception 1: FRA Is Always 65
It is not. For anyone born after 1937, FRA gradually increased above 65. Today it is 67 for younger retirees.
Misconception 2: Benefits Automatically Increase at FRA
They do not automatically increase unless you delayed claiming.
Misconception 3: FRA and Medicare Eligibility Are the Same
They are different. Medicare eligibility generally begins at age 65, regardless of your Social Security FRA.
Medicare vs. Full Retirement Age
Medicare eligibility starts at 65 for most Americans. That age has not increased alongside Social Security FRA.
You can:
- Enroll in Medicare at 65
- Delay Social Security benefits until 67 or later
These two systems operate independently.
Is Full Retirement Age Changing Again?
As of February 2026:
- No federal law has raised full retirement age beyond 67.
- Discussions about future reforms continue in Congress.
- No enacted legislation has altered current FRA rules.
Americans born in 1960 or later should plan on a full retirement age of 67 under existing law.
Planning Around Full Retirement Age
Choosing when to claim Social Security depends on several factors:
- Health and life expectancy
- Employment plans
- Savings and retirement accounts
- Marital status
Claiming at FRA offers balance. It avoids early reduction while allowing access before age 70.
Delaying increases monthly payments but requires financial flexibility in the meantime.
Each decision affects lifetime retirement income.
Key Takeaways for 2026
- Full retirement age is 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later.
- FRA is 66 and 10 months for those born in 1959.
- Claiming early reduces benefits permanently.
- Delaying beyond FRA increases benefits up to age 70.
- Medicare eligibility remains at 65.
Understanding what is full retirement age for social security helps Americans make informed retirement decisions.
Social Security remains a cornerstone of retirement income for millions of Americans. Knowing your full retirement age ensures you maximize benefits and avoid costly timing mistakes.
When do you plan to claim your benefits? Share your thoughts and stay informed on the latest Social Security updates.
