Neither 65 nor 67: This is the current full retirement age in the United States

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The age of 65 is no longer FRA for Social Security in America. However, since people are living longer than they did when the SSA started out in 1935 and the first payments were made in 1942, it has been steadily growing to make the financing sustainable over time. To meet the demands of each period, the Agency has thus had to adapt its criteria throughout time. 

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However, 67 is not the full retirement age for individuals who reach regular retirement age in 2025, even if it will soon be the standard retirement age for workers born in 1960 or later. The truth is, it is less than that and therefore, it is important to be born in a certain year or month to achieve retirement age and get all of your benefits.

Current full retirement age in the United States

Simply use a Social Security online calculator to see if you will reach the average retirement age in 2025. The exact age at which you must apply for benefits to get 100% of them will be displayed. By September 1, 2025, however, it will be 66 years and 8 months old. 

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If you were born a bit later, you will be 66 years & 10 months old when you get 100 percent of your Social Security payments. The FRA will be this age between November 2, 2025, and November 1, 2026. The first workers born in 1960 or later will thus not get his/her F.R.A at age 67 until 2027.

SSA online tools and resources

  • Workers considering retirement can use the SSA Age Calculator to check the exact date at which they are eligible to file for and receive 100% of their benefits. To check your F.R.A, you must select your birth year on ssa.gov
  • To find out how much your benefits can be reduced, you can check retirement age chart via ssa.gov only. Unreduced benefits will, of course, be the best way to cope with inflation and rising costs over time.
  • To check when can you apply for retirement benefits and SSA Retirement Payment Amount 2025 you can get by age, you can check your Social Security Statement.
  • Having a Social Security account makes it very simple to get a statement. The process is free, of course, and it will give you a better sense of when to file based on your assets, retirement savings, and financial status.
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Neither 65 nor 67: This is the current full retirement age in the United States

New Social Security Age Reshapes Retirement in America

The golden retirement age of 67 has been around for decades, but it may be about to change.  The concept of full retirement at age 67 may soon be a thing of the past due to increasing life expectancy among Americans, Social Security’s financial problems, and calls for reform from policy experts.  It may completely change how and when you retire if you are in your 30s or 40s, currently your F.R.A is determined by your birth year and can range from 66 to 67.

New plans, however, may increase that age to 68, 69, or even 70.  In the absence of significant reforms, the most recent Social Security Trustees Report suggests that the program may run out of funds by 20233-34 and that will happen in less than ten years.

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Social Security 62 vs 67 vs 70

The choice of when to begin receiving Social Security payments is among the most significant ones that retirees must make. The decision can have a big influence on your monthly income and total lifetime payment, regardless of whether you claim as early as age 62, wait until full retirement age (usually 67), or wait until age 70. The ideal option for you will depend on your personal health, work status and financial objectives, even though each plan has unique benefits and drawbacks.

Your earnings history will determine how much money you get each month from Social Security, with adjustments made based on when you start receiving benefits. You may receive lesser monthly payments if you file your claim early, but they will be distributed over a longer time frame. If you delay your claim, you will receive larger monthly amounts but fewer payout years.

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Understanding the pros & cons of each claiming age

When you reach age 62, you can begin receiving Social Security benefits, but your monthly payout will be significantly smaller than it would be if you waited until you reached full retirement age (FRA), usually by around 30%. FRA is age 67 for people born after 1960. Early claimants may be driven by need, health concerns, or loss of job, but the lower payout is permanent. You can get all of your planned benefit if you wait until you are 67 years old, or full retirement age.

For individuals with normal health, those who still want to work, or anybody who wants to maximize lifetime benefits without having to postpone further, this middle-ground choice is ideal. Waiting until FRA has several benefits, including the removal of the Social Security earnings cap, which allows you to keep working without having your benefits cut.

Your monthly payout will rise dramatically if you can wait until you are 70 years old because of delayed retirement credits.  Up to a maximum at age 70, your payment increases by around 8% for each year you remain over your full retirement age. In other words, if your benefit at age 67 was $2,000, waiting three more years may increase it to $2,480.

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