What is Full Retirement Age?
Full Retirement Age (FRA) is the age at which you become eligible to receive your full Social Security retirement benefit — 100% of your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). Your PIA is based on your highest 35 years of indexed earnings.
The FRA is set by law and depends entirely on your birth year. Congress raised it gradually starting with people born in 1938, from the original age 65 up to 67 for those born in 1960 or later.
Full Retirement Age by Birth Year
| Birth Year | Full Retirement Age | Months Past 65 |
|---|---|---|
| 1937 or earlier | 65 | 0 |
| 1938 | 65 + 2 months | 2 |
| 1939 | 65 + 4 months | 4 |
| 1940 | 65 + 6 months | 6 |
| 1941 | 65 + 8 months | 8 |
| 1942 | 65 + 10 months | 10 |
| 1943–1954 | 66 | 12 |
| 1955 | 66 + 2 months | 14 |
| 1956 | 66 + 4 months | 16 |
| 1957 | 66 + 6 months | 18 |
| 1958 | 66 + 8 months | 20 |
| 1959 | 66 + 10 months | 22 |
| 1960 or later | 67 | 24 |
Early vs. Delayed Claiming
You can claim Social Security as early as age 62 (with a permanent reduction in benefits) or delay up to age 70 (with a permanent increase of 8% per year of delay past FRA).
| Claiming Age | Approximate Benefit % of FRA Amount | Direction |
|---|---|---|
| 62 (earliest) | 70–75% | −25 to −30% |
| 63 | 75–80% | −20 to −25% |
| 64 | 80–85% | −15 to −20% |
| 65 | 86.7–91.7% | −8 to −13% |
| FRA (66 or 67) | 100% | Baseline |
| 68 | 108% | +8% |
| 69 | 116% | +16% |
| 70 (maximum) | 124–132% | +24 to +32% |
FAQ
This depends on your health, financial needs, marital status, and other income sources. As a general rule, claiming early makes sense if you need the income now or have reason to expect a shorter lifespan. Delaying makes sense if you're in good health, have other income, and want to maximize lifetime benefits — especially for a higher-earning spouse. Consult a financial advisor for personalized guidance.
If you claim before FRA and continue working, the SSA may temporarily withhold part of your benefit if your earnings exceed the annual exempt amount ($22,320 in 2024). Once you reach FRA, there's no earnings limit — you can work and receive full benefits simultaneously. The withheld amounts are credited back to your benefit later.
Congress has changed FRA once before (1983 Amendments). Future changes are possible, particularly for younger workers. This tool shows current law. For those born well after 1960, future legislation may alter these ages. This is a risk factor to discuss with a financial planner.
Financial Disclaimer: This calculator provides educational information about Social Security Full Retirement Age rules. It is not financial, tax, or legal advice. Your actual benefit amount depends on your earnings history, which only SSA has. Visit ssa.gov to create a my Social Security account. See our full Financial Disclaimer.
Sources
- Social Security Administration. "Retirement Benefits." SSA Publication No. 05-10035. ssa.gov
- SSA. "Full Retirement Age." ssa.gov/benefits/retirement