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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Mildred S.
I have put off drawing my social security until I turn 70 in six weeks I have not seen anything about how and when to do this. I have been drawing on my husband’s social security. I don’t know what I need to do to draw my own and have not been able to find any information about this. please tell me what to do.
Steve K.
My wife is retirement age but has a number of “zero” year earnings, mostly during the years our children were young. She has not started to pull her Social Security benefits yet. Her top 35 year calculation will include a number of these zero’s. She did work part time in 2017. When (Month/Day in 2018) will her 2017 earnings populate her Social Security files (and thereby push out one of those early zero years) to determine her benefits if she decides to file for retirement benefits?
Phil. j.
Who. Know if. Going to live. Till you. Are. 70. The government. Suck. You. Work. All. You. Lives. To. Have. Money. To. Retire. On. And. Government. Sticking. Our. Money. In. There. Pocket. Good. Lord. Will. Get. Ya. For. That. You can. Believe That. I. Hope. Jesus. Get. Y’all. Thank you for your. Time.
Phil. j.
I. Had. To retire. Cause my. Wife. Is. Handicap. I. Could not Afford. To.have people’s. To sit. With. Her so. I. Have. To. Sit. With. Her. So. That why. I. Need my. Disability I. Have. Bad. Knees
R.F.
Hi Phil, the Social Security Act sets out a strict definition for disability. We pay disability benefits to people who are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last one year or more or to end in death. However, if a person believes they are disabled and meets our definition of disability, we encourage them to apply for disability as soon as they become disabled. For more information visit our Disability Planner: Social Security Protection If You Become Disabled, or see our “Frequently Asked Questions” web page on disability. We hope this information helps!
Christine G.
I started collecting my SSI at 62 years old,
. My husband is a year and 2 months younger am
Nd wants to start collecting his SSI at 66 years old. He was born 7/11/1952 p. I was born 5/1/1951. Can I get half of his SSI when he starts rec’v his SSI?
R.F.
Hi Christine, you may be able to get spouse’s retirement benefits when your husband starts receiving his retirement benefits. Keep in mind, that if a person begins to receive benefits at age 62 or 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 may still be eligible to collect reduced benefits on your husband’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.
For more information, please see our Retirement Planner: Benefits For You As A Spouse. We hope this helps.
Pj h.
My wife started soc sec at 60, I Istarted at 65, if I die ones my wife the higher my benefit
Daniel J.
In two years my wife and I plan on retiring – she will be 62 and I will be 66. If she elects to start social security can I claim under hers? If so how much would I get AND at age 70 I will start drawing mine.
At my death can my spouse move over to my social security because mine would be higher at that point.
Beth A.
I have been receiving 1/2 of my husband’s benefits, but in January I turn 70 & would like to receive my full benefit.
Please call 214-455-4140 or send forms I need to complete.
R.F.
Thank you for contacting us, Beth. Our system is set up to take applications three months in advance, you can apply for your benefits online at any time now. If you need further assistance call our toll free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask to speak with one of our representatives, who are available Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thanks!
Carol D.
I already typed a comment & letter to Our President for Help with Our Social Security Retirements Funds.
Not a luxury but what we deserve & paid into for Our future which is right now……thank you
Carol D.
I see a big problem here concerning our Social Security Benefits for us retirees. Congress has been digging into our funds for billions & billions of dollars while we sleep.
Congress, not us retirees or people’s should have to pay this money back into our Social Security Benefits Fund. I can’t & don’t understand where or what this money was taken for & nobody asked our permission?
So Congress Pay Our Billions of Dollars back$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ it’s only fair to us who only survive on what we get monthly from Our Social Security Retirement Fund. President Trump, please look out for us retirees, we are depending on You & Our Money we put into our government for Our Needs for when we reached Our Age of Retirement.
Help Us Please Mr. President & get Congress who make to much money as it is to pull it together & pay back Our Billions that they Stole from Us! No Disrespect Only The Truth……..we’re counting on You to help Us in this desperate matter. It’s hard to make ends meet every month with the prices so high for food & other necessities we all need at Our ages….
Thank You So Much If You Are Reading This Letter from me. We & I need Your Help Now kind Sir!
Harold G.
Dose your full retirement start the year you turn 66 ,or on the date you turn 66 Harold Gonterman
R.F.
Great question, Harold. Full retirement age had been 65 for many years. However, beginning with people born in 1938 or later, that age gradually increases until it reaches 67 for people born after 1959. We consider you of full retirement age the 1st day of the month, you attain your full retirement age. Visit our Retirement Age Calculator for more information. Thanks!