Retirement

2017 Brings New Changes to Full Retirement Age

January 6, 2017 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: August 19, 2021

3 elderly people siting on a stoopEvery 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:

  1. 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.
  2. Your monthly benefits are reduced permanently if you start them any time before full retirement age.
  3. 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.
  4. 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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About the Author

Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications

Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications

Comments

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  4. Cyril A.

    A RETIREE WHO IS NOT RECEIVING HIS FULL SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS WHAT CAN HE DO TO RECEIVE HIS FULL BENEFITS.

    • AKA

      Nothing, unless he recently began to receive payments. Then he could return what he was paid and change his application.

      • Mike

        AKA
        I believe that loophole was closed with recent legislation. Perhaps you know where to find answer on SSA website as I read it in the news (unofficial). Please let people know either way if you decide to verify. Thanks.

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  6. Diana P.

    was born 1955 in the month of March, what will be my full retirement age?

    • R.F.

      Full retirement age is 66 and two months for people born 01/02/1955 through 01/01/1956. You’re still eligible to receive permanently reduced retirement benefits when you turn 62 in 2017.

      • Roxanne

        You didn’t answer her question. She wants to know if her benefits begin in May or June.

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    • Norm

      Your post captures the issue peltcefry!

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    • BDCompton

      That is the 2nd time I have seen those numbers do they mean something or is that just BS ?

Comments are closed.