★ America's Trusted Toll-Free Number📞 1-800-MEDIGAP
1-800-MEDIGAP📞 Call 1-800-633-4427

Social Security Full Retirement Age

Find your FRA by birth year and see how early or late claiming changes your benefit.

📞 Call 1-800-633-4427 — FreeAmerica's Trusted Toll-Free Number
Elderly man enjoying technology, typing on laptop indoors, illustrating Social Security Full Retirement Age — 1-800-MEDIGAP, America's Trusted Toll-Free Number.
Photo: Helena Lopes / Pexels
Quick answer

Full retirement age (FRA) is when you receive 100% of your Social Security benefit. For anyone born in 1960 or later, FRA is 67. For those born 1943-1954 it is 66, rising in two-month steps in between, per the Social Security Administration. Claiming before FRA reduces your check; delaying to 70 increases it.

Your full retirement age is the anchor for every claiming decision. Here is how to find yours and why it matters.

What is my full retirement age?

Your full retirement age depends on your birth year. People born in 1937 or earlier had an FRA of 65. For those born 1943 through 1954, FRA is 66. It then rises by two months per birth year, so someone born in 1957 reaches FRA at 66 and 6 months, and anyone born in 1960 or later has an FRA of 67. FRA is the age at which you receive 100% of your earned benefit, your Primary Insurance Amount. It is also the point at which the earnings limit on working stops applying.

Why does full retirement age matter?

Full retirement age is the dividing line for every claiming decision. Claim before FRA and your benefit is permanently reduced, by up to 30% at age 62 if your FRA is 67. Wait past FRA and you earn delayed retirement credits of about 8% per year up to age 70. FRA also determines spousal and survivor benefit calculations and the point at which the working earnings test disappears. Because Medicare eligibility starts at 65, often before FRA, your enrollment and claiming dates may differ. Call 1-800-MEDIGAP to coordinate both.

More on Social Security

← Social Security (overview)pillar guideSocial Security BenefitsSocial Security COLA 2026Is Social Security Taxable?Social Security Benefits CalculatorSocial Security Spousal BenefitsSocial Security Survivor BenefitsSocial Security Breakeven Calculator

Frequently asked questions

What is full retirement age for someone born in 1960 or later?+

For anyone born in 1960 or later, full retirement age is 67. At 67 you receive 100% of your earned Social Security benefit. Claiming earlier reduces it permanently, and waiting until 70 increases it through delayed retirement credits.

Is full retirement age the same as Medicare age?+

No. Medicare eligibility begins at 65 for most people, while full retirement age is 66 to 67. Because they differ, you may need to enroll in Medicare before you claim Social Security to avoid late penalties.

What happens if I claim before full retirement age?+

Claiming before full retirement age permanently reduces your monthly benefit, by up to 30% at age 62 if your FRA is 67. You also face the annual earnings limit if you keep working, which can temporarily withhold part of your benefit.

Can I increase my benefit past full retirement age?+

Yes. For each year you delay claiming past full retirement age up to age 70, your benefit grows about 8% through delayed retirement credits. There is no additional increase for waiting beyond age 70.

How do I coordinate FRA with Medicare enrollment?+

Call 1-800-MEDIGAP (1-800-633-4427) for free help lining up your Medicare Initial Enrollment Period with your Social Security claiming date, so you avoid penalties and gaps in coverage. There is no obligation.

Talk to a licensed specialist — free.

America's Trusted Toll-Free Number. One call answers it all, at no cost and no obligation.

📞 Call 1-800-MEDIGAP
Social Security Full Retirement Age 2026 | 1-800-MEDIGAP