Nani
Think your full retirement age (FRA) is 65 or 67? Think again. It actually depends on your birth year, and for many it falls somewhere in between—like 66 and 10 months.
This nuance profoundly impacts how much you’ll receive and when. Understanding your precise FRA can unlock smarter retirement strategies and better income planning.
What Is Full Retirement Age?
Full Retirement Age (FRA) is the age when you’re eligible for your full Social Security retirement benefits, with no reduction. The FRA isn’t one-size-fits-all—it’s staggered based on birth year, a change introduced decades ago to reflect longer life expectancy.
| Year of Birth | Full Retirement Age (FRA) |
|---|---|
| 1943–1954 | 66 |
| 1955 | 66 years and 2 months |
| 1956 | 66 years and 4 months |
| 1957 | 66 years and 6 months |
| 1958 | 66 years and 8 months |
| 1959 | 66 years and 10 months |
| 1960 and later | 67 years |
For example, someone born in 1959 must wait until 66 years and 10 months to claim full benefits. If you were born in 1960 or later, your FRA is 67.
How Early or Late Claiming Affects Benefits
- Early claiming (from age 62) reduces your monthly benefit. For instance, claiming at 62 instead of FRA can shrink your monthly payout by up to 30%—and that reduction stays permanent.
- Deferred claiming (after FRA, up to age 70) increases your benefit via delayed retirement credits—about 8% more per year. For example, someone whose FRA benefit is $2,000 could see it grow to around $2,480 by waiting until age 70.
Why Your Exact FRA Matters
Understanding your precise FRA—whether it’s 66 years, 66 years and 10 months, or 67—can mean thousands of dollars difference over the course of retirement:
- If you’re born in 1959 and mistakenly assume your FRA is 67, yet claim at 66, you’ll prematurely reduce your benefit.
- Strategic timing based on your exact FRA helps either extend your retirement income or boost monthly payments if you plan to delay.
How to Find Your FRA & Maximize Benefits
- Use the SSA’s online FRA calculator: Enter your birth year and month to get your precise FRA.
- Start a “my Social Security” account at SSA.gov to view personalized estimates, track earnings, and test early vs. delayed claiming scenarios.
Your Full Retirement Age isn’t a fixed number—it’s unique to your birthday. Whether it’s 66 years, 66 years and 10 months, or 67, the timing of when you start collecting Social Security profoundly impacts your benefit amount.
Early claiming brings permanent cuts; delaying can boost your lifetime income. Stop guessing. Use the SSA tools to pinpoint your FRA, and build a retirement plan that aligns with your financial goals.
FAQs
FRA was gradually raised through legislation passed in 1983 to reflect aging demographics. Now, depending on your birth year, FRA ranges from 66 to 67, with monthly increments.