What is full retirement age for Social Security in 2026? For Americans retiring today, full retirement age is 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later, under current federal law and Social Security Administration rules.
That number plays a critical role in determining how much you receive each month. Claim too early, and your benefit is permanently reduced. Wait longer, and your monthly payment grows. With retirement planning becoming more complex, understanding your full retirement age, often called FRA, is essential for maximizing lifetime income.
Here is a fully updated, detailed breakdown of FRA rules in effect as of February 2026.
What Full Retirement Age Means
Full retirement age is the point at which you qualify for 100% of your Social Security retirement benefit. That benefit is based on your highest 35 years of earnings and is calculated using a federal formula.
Your FRA is not the same as:
- The earliest age you can claim benefits
- The age you qualify for Medicare
- A mandatory retirement age
Instead, it marks the age when your benefit is neither reduced nor increased due to early or delayed claiming.
Full Retirement Age by Birth Year
The full retirement age gradually increased from 65 to 67 under reforms passed in 1983. That phased increase is now complete.
Here is the current schedule:
| Year of Birth | Full Retirement Age |
|---|---|
| 1958 | 66 years, 8 months |
| 1959 | 66 years, 10 months |
| 1960 or later | 67 years |
Anyone turning 62 in 2026 was born in 1964. That means their FRA will be 67.
There are no approved changes raising FRA beyond 67 at this time.
Earliest Age You Can Claim Benefits
You may begin collecting Social Security retirement benefits at age 62. However, filing before your full retirement age permanently reduces your monthly payment.
For individuals with an FRA of 67:
- Claiming at 62 reduces benefits by about 30%.
- Claiming at 63 reduces benefits by roughly 25%.
- Claiming at 64 reduces benefits by about 20%.
The reduction stays in place for life.
Example
If your full benefit at age 67 is $2,200 per month:
- Claiming at 62 would reduce it to approximately $1,540 per month.
- That lower amount continues permanently, aside from cost-of-living adjustments.
Early filing may provide immediate income, but it results in smaller lifetime monthly payments.
Delaying Benefits Beyond FRA
You can delay claiming benefits past full retirement age. Doing so increases your monthly benefit through delayed retirement credits.
The increase equals:
- 8% per year for each year you delay, up to age 70.
If your FRA is 67:
- Waiting until 68 adds 8%.
- Waiting until 69 adds 16%.
- Waiting until 70 adds 24%.
No additional increases apply after age 70.
Using the earlier $2,200 example:
- At 70, your monthly benefit could rise to roughly $2,728.
This strategy benefits individuals with longer life expectancy and sufficient savings to delay.
How FRA Affects the Earnings Limit
Before reaching full retirement age, the Social Security earnings test applies if you work while collecting benefits.
For 2026:
- If you are under FRA all year, you may earn up to $23,400.
- $1 in benefits is withheld for every $2 earned above that amount.
If you reach FRA during 2026:
- You may earn up to $62,160 before the month you reach FRA.
- $1 is withheld for every $3 earned above that threshold.
Once you reach full retirement age, the earnings limit disappears. You can earn unlimited income without benefit reductions.
FRA and Spousal Benefits
Full retirement age also affects spousal benefits.
A spouse may receive up to 50% of the higher earner’s full retirement benefit if claiming at FRA.
If the spouse claims early:
- The benefit is permanently reduced.
For example:
If the primary earner’s FRA benefit is $2,400 per month:
- The maximum spousal benefit at FRA is $1,200.
- Claiming early reduces that amount.
Couples should coordinate timing carefully to maximize household retirement income.
FRA and Survivor Benefits
Survivor benefits operate under slightly different timing rules.
Widows and widowers may claim reduced survivor benefits as early as age 60. However, full survivor benefits are available at survivor FRA, which aligns closely with the retirement FRA schedule.
Waiting until survivor FRA ensures 100% of the deceased spouse’s benefit amount.
The timing decision can significantly affect lifetime income for surviving spouses.
How Social Security Calculates Your Full Benefit
Your benefit at full retirement age is called your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA).
The PIA is calculated using:
- Your highest 35 years of earnings
- Wage indexing adjustments
- A federal benefit formula applied to your average indexed monthly earnings
If you worked fewer than 35 years, zero-income years are included in the calculation, reducing your average.
Reaching FRA allows you to collect 100% of your PIA.
FRA vs. Medicare Eligibility
Many Americans confuse full retirement age with Medicare eligibility.
Medicare generally begins at age 65.
This means:
- You may enroll in Medicare at 65.
- Your full retirement age may be 66 and several months or 67.
The two programs operate independently. You can enroll in Medicare at 65 while delaying Social Security until 67 or later.
Cost-of-Living Adjustments and FRA
Cost-of-living adjustments apply regardless of when you claim benefits.
In January 2026, beneficiaries received a 2.5% COLA increase.
If you claim early, the COLA applies to your reduced benefit.
If you delay, the COLA applies to your increased benefit.
FRA does not change whether you receive COLA adjustments. It only affects the base benefit amount.
Is Full Retirement Age Increasing Again?
As of February 2026:
- No legislation has increased FRA beyond 67.
- Policy discussions about long-term Social Security reform continue.
- Current law sets 67 as the maximum FRA for those born in 1960 or later.
Any future change would require congressional action.
For now, Americans planning retirement should use 67 as the full retirement age if born in 1960 or after.
Strategic Considerations Around FRA
Choosing when to claim Social Security depends on several personal factors.
Health and Longevity
Those with longer life expectancy may benefit from delaying benefits.
Employment Plans
If you plan to work past 62, waiting until FRA may avoid earnings-related reductions.
Financial Need
Some retirees need income immediately and choose early filing.
Marital Status
Coordinating benefits with a spouse can increase total household income.
Understanding what is full retirement age for social security helps retirees avoid costly mistakes and build stronger long-term strategies.
Common Myths About FRA
Myth 1: You Must Retire at FRA
There is no requirement to stop working at full retirement age.
Myth 2: Benefits Automatically Increase at FRA
Benefits only increase if you delay claiming past FRA.
Myth 3: FRA Is 65 for Everyone
For most current retirees, FRA is 67 or slightly less, depending on birth year.
Clearing up these misconceptions helps Americans plan more effectively.
Quick Summary of 2026 FRA Rules
- FRA is 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later.
- FRA is 66 and 10 months for those born in 1959.
- Early claiming reduces benefits permanently.
- Delaying past FRA increases benefits up to age 70.
- Earnings limits disappear at FRA.
- Medicare eligibility remains age 65.
These rules form the foundation of Social Security retirement planning in 2026.
Full retirement age marks a key milestone in every American’s retirement journey. It determines when you unlock your full earned benefit and gain flexibility in work income.
Are you planning to claim at 62, 67, or 70? Share your plans and stay updated on the latest Social Security changes.