2017 Brings New Changes to Full Retirement Age
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: August 19, 2021
Every worker’s dream is to enjoy a secure retirement. Social Security is here to secure today and tomorrow. Part of that commitment is ensuring you have the most up-to-date information when you make your retirement decisions.
As the bells ring in the New Year, they also bring changes for new Social Security retirement beneficiaries. Full retirement age is 66 and two months for people born 01/02/1955 through 01/01/1956. They are eligible to receive permanently reduced retirement benefits when they turn 62 in 2017.
Full retirement age is the age at which a person first becomes entitled to full (unreduced) retirement benefits. It had been 65 for many years. However, beginning with people born in 1938 that age has been gradually increasing until it reaches 67 for people born in 1960 and later.
As the full retirement age continues to increase, there are greater reductions in benefits if you claim them before you reach full retirement age. For example, if you apply for benefits in 2017 at age 62, your monthly benefit amount will be reduced nearly 26 percent.
You can find your full retirement age, along with other important information, on our website.
Some things you must remember when you’re thinking about retirement:
- You may start receiving Social Security benefits as early as age 62 or as late as age 70. The longer you wait, the higher your monthly benefit will be.
- Your monthly benefits are reduced permanently if you start them any time before full retirement age.
- If you die, your retirement date can affect the payment to your surviving widow or widower. If you started receiving retirement benefits before full retirement age, we cannot pay your surviving spouse their full retirement age benefit amount. We base their benefit on the amount of your reduced benefits.
- If you elect to receive benefits before you reach full retirement age, you should understand how continuing to work affects your benefits.
You can learn more by reading our publication, When to Start Receiving Benefits or visiting our Retirement Planner.
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Tags: full retirement age, retirement benefits, Social Security benefits
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Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications
Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications
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DoSA
Born July 19, 1954. When should I apply for SSI, and when should I expect the first check? ( based on full retirement)
J.Y.
Hi! We think you may be getting our programs confused. The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program is a needs based program that pays benefits to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources. SSI benefits also are payable to people 65 and older without disabilities who meet the financial limits.
If you are referring to Retirement benefits, the earliest age you can get benefits is 62, but you can wait. If you choose to get benefits before your full retirement age, they will be reduced. According to your birth date, your full retirement age is 66. It may be helpful to visit our Retirement Planning page before you decide when to apply. You can also create a my Social Security account to review estimates of your retirement, disability, and survivors benefits, your earnings record, and the estimated Social Security and Medicare taxes you’ve paid. We hope this helps!
David G.
Thanks – your answer is very helpful. When should I start the paper work for the retirement benefit: the month I turn 66, 1 month prior, 2 months prior…..?
R.F.
Hi David! Our system is set up to take applications three months in advance. When you are ready, you can complete the online application for your Social Security retirement benefits in as little as 15 minutes. Also, you can create a My Social Security account to review your earnings record and get an estimate of your future benefits. Please visit our Social Security Retirement Planner for more information.
Mayra
Hello. My husband will be retiring at his full retirement age (66). Can I as the spouse, be able to retire under his retirement at age 65 and collect the 50% of his retirement until I decide to retire under mine, which could be when I turn 70. At that time, will I then receive my full retirement due at 70 or is it reduced because I collected under my husband for 5 years prior. Thank you.
J.Y.
Thank you for your question, Mayra. You would have to reach your full retirement age to apply and receive only your spouse’s benefit and delay receiving your retirement benefit until a later date. If you turn 62 before January 2, 2016, deemed filing rules will not apply if you file at your full retirement age or later. Your full spouse’s benefit could be up to one-half the amount your spouse is entitled to receive at their full retirement age. However, if a person begins to receive benefits prior to their full retirement age, their benefits are reduced. The reduction factors are permanently applied to all of the benefits the person may qualify for. You could still be eligible to collect reduced benefits on your spouse’s record. Remember, if someone is eligible for both, his or her own benefit and for benefits as a spouse, we always pay their own first. If their spousal benefits are higher than their own retirement benefits, he or she will get a combination of benefits equaling the higher spouse benefit. If you have specific questions, please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. and speak with one of our representatives. We hope this information helps!
Deborah K.
I was 66 in August 2016. I recently applied to receive SSI beginning October 2017 and am being told I am not eligible to receive any additional percentage of benefit, in other words that I will only receive what I would have receive had I not waited…..unless I wait until January 2018. That does not make any sense.But there was mention of a retro payment. I was told even if I do not take the retro I will not receive any additional percentage on my benefit unless I wait until January 2018. The additional monthly, according to SSI tables would be over $200.00 per month. Why am I being told this.
A.C.
Hi, Deborah. Unfortunately, your question is a bit more complex than we can handle in this forum. For your security, we do not have access to information about your account. Please continue working with your local Social Security office or call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and speak to one of our representatives. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, you’ll have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week. Thanks.
Michelle
Thank you for your prompt response – can I clarify one thing. If I apply for full retirement for myself at 66 will I then have to reapply when my ex husband is 62 (he does not expect to retire and collect his social until at least 66 maybe 70) or by taking mine at 66 (my full retirement age) would I then forego the ability to have mine made up to 50% of his full retirement? I ask because you stated that ‘ In the other hand, the benefit amount you receive is established at the time you applied for Retirement Benefit.’
R.F.
Let us clarify Michelle. First remember that if you are eligible for both your own retirement benefits and benefits as a divorced spouse, we always pay your own benefits first. If your benefits as a divorced spouse are higher than your own retirement benefits, you will get a combination of benefits equaling the higher divorced spouse benefit. For example: Let’s say that at your full retirement age you qualify for a retirement benefit of $250 and a divorced spouse’s benefit of $400. You will receive your own $250 retirement benefit, and we will add $150 from your ex-spouse’s benefit, for a total of $400. Your benefit as a divorced spouse can be equal to one-half of your ex-spouse’s full retirement amount only if you start receiving benefits at your full retirement age. If a person begins to receive benefits at age 62 or prior to their full retirement age, their benefits are reduced. These reduction factors are permanently applied to all of the benefits the person may qualify for. Finally, if your ex-husband does not apply for his retirement benefits, but can qualify for them and is age 62 or older, you can receive benefits on his record, if you have been divorced for at least two years. You will have to re-contact us to see if you qualify for a higher benefit on his record. Visit our Retirement Planner: If You Are Divorced for more information, or call our toll free telephone number at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. if you have additional questions. Thanks.
Michelle
I will be eligible for full retirement in September 2020. My ex spouse will only be 59 then. His social security benefit will be much higher than mine. Do I have to wait until he is 62 before I can ‘top’ up my full retirement benefit to 50% of his or do I have to wait until he is 67? Also I hear you could only claim at one time so do I have to put off my retirement until he is 62 or 67?
R.F.
Thank you for your question Michelle. Your ex-spouse must be entitled to Social Security retirement or disability benefits. If at age 62 (or older), your ex-spouse has not applied for retirement benefits, but can qualify for them, you can receive benefits on his or her record if you have been divorced for at least two years. Also, your benefit as a divorced spouse can ONLY be equal to one-half of your ex-spouse’s full retirement amount (or disability benefit) if you start receiving benefits at your full retirement age. In the other hand, the benefit amount you receive is established at the time you applied for Retirement Benefits. It is based on the amount of your average lifetime earnings and your age at the time you applied. Keep in mind that if a person begins to receive Social Security benefits prior to their full retirement age, their benefits are reduced. These reduction factors are permanently applied to all of the benefits the person may qualify for. Please visit our Retirement Planner: If You Are Divorced for more information. We hope this information helps.
Marty
If I chose to take an early benefit. I will have no penalty as long as I don’t go over a certain amount yearly with part time work until I’m 66.
my simple question is. Does my wife’s income affect my SS benefit each year until full retirement?
R.F.
Hi Marty. The amount of benefits you receive is established at the time you applied for Retirement Benefits. It is based on the amount of your average lifetime earnings and your age at the time you applied. Generally, we use the highest years of earnings to calculate your monthly benefit amount. You can still work and receive your Social Security retirement benefits at the same time. However, if you are younger than full retirement age and make more than the yearly earnings limit, we will reduce your benefit. If you are under full retirement age for the entire year, we deduct $1 from your benefit payments for every $2 you earn above the annual limit. For 2017 that limit is $16,920. This limit changes in the year you reach full retirement age. To learn more, visit our Frequently Asked Questions web page or read our publication “How Work Affects Your Benefits”. If you have specific questions, you can call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. and speak with one of our representatives. Generally, you’ll have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week. Thanks!
Claudia
I will be 66 July 5 2018. I plan on working and since I was married 14 years, divorced and not remarried draw whatever I can on my ex husbands SS. From what I understand I can do that until I decide to draw my own. I’m sure mine SS is higher than his. I plan on working another year. My confusion is taxes. I already draw a pension and my income now is over $75,000 a year. Would I just pay taxes on income?? Are these taxes paid at the end of the year??
R.F.
Hi Claudia. If you turn 62 before January 2, 2016, deemed filing rules will not apply if you file at full retirement age or later. This means that you may file for either your ex-spouse’s benefit or your retirement benefit without being required or “deemed” to file for the other. Some people may have to pay federal income taxes on their Social Security benefits. This usually happens only if you have other substantial income. Your question is an income tax question, and you will need to contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Their toll-free number is 1-800-829-1040. We hope this information helps.
Ronald A.
My wife will turn 66 (born June 24, 1952) next year in June. Can she start receiving benefits based on 66 in January of next year rather than waiting to June on next year.
R.F.
Thank you for your question Ronald. Based on the information you’re providing, your wife‘s full retirement age is 66. She can only get her full retirement benefit at age 66. She could apply for benefits in January, but keep in mind that if a person begins to receive benefits prior to their full retirement age, their benefit amount is reduced a certain percentage. The reduction factors are permanently applied to all benefits an individual may qualify for, once they opt to start benefits at any time prior to their full retirement age. Please bear in mind that the decision on when to apply for your Retirement Benefits is a personal one. We can only provide you with the information to help you make the best choice according to your own situation. We offer a variety of benefit-calculators to help you plan for the future. Please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 for further assistance. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. We hope this information helps!
Betty M.
My husband and I are 1952 babies. We plan to continue working past our full retirement age as we are partners in a small business. We each have our statements from SSN and it says total family benefits cannot be more than X.
This amount is less than if we each collect what we should per the statement. Does this mean that we are penalized as a married couple and limited to X? We have both worked all of our lives. Thanks
R.F.
Hi Betty. Sometimes, a person may be eligible to more than one benefit at the same time. For example, a person may be entitled as a retired worker on his or her own record and as a spouse on another record. Under current law, a person’s benefit amount can never exceed the highest single benefit amount to which that person is entitled. While is possible for a person to be eligible to more than one benefit at the same time, we are only going to pay the highest benefit amount from either records – meaning that you will only be allowed to receive one payment. Visit our Retirement Planner: Benefits For You As A Spouse for more information. Also, since you’re planning to continue to work, you may find our publication “How Works Affect Your Benefits” useful. Hope we’re able to provide clarity. Thanks!
dani
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