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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karen b.
Will the family law courts recognize the new retirement age as 66 and 2 months when deciding the legality of allowing the spousal support payor to retire at 65 (currently) given the reduction in ss payout?
Clifford S.
I just turned 67yo and my wife just turned 62. Neither of us have filed a SS claim yet. Can she file for SS now (early) and I collect 50% of her amount so I can delay my filing until I reach 70yo? If not, is there another strategy we as a married couple can take? Thank you.
David E.
On December 29 this year i will be 62 years of age, and plan on starting to draw my SSN. Starting in January 2019. So what forms or paperwork do i need to have on hand or need to have on hand to start the process. Also when should i start the process in order to start getting my SSN in January-2019.
Linda D.
I can get half of my x’s social security. Is that amount now lowered because of the changes?
R.F.
Hi Linda! If you’re referring to Section 831 of the Bipartisan Budget Act (BBA) which eliminates aggressive claiming loopholes related to “deemed” filing and voluntary suspension of benefits, visit our Retirement Planner: Recent Claiming Changes for information on this topic.
Keep in mind, your benefit as a divorced spouse is equal to one-half of your ex-spouse’s full retirement amount -ONLY- if you start receiving benefits at your full retirement age.
Please visit our Retirement Planner: If You Are Divorced for more information.
John T.
I was,born in November 5 1954 . What age can i retire and collect full benefits from social security . And can i still work and collect my full social security full benefits
R.F.
Great question John, if you were born January 2, 1943, through January 1, 1955, then your full retirement age for retirement insurance benefits is 66.
If you work and are full retirement age or older, the amount you make at work will not affect your Social Security benefits, no matter how much you earn. Please read our publication “How Work Affects Your Benefits” for more information. Thanks!
Joe D.
If a person has been on disability for years, did their status change from full disability to full retirement in 1028? If so, why did that happen and are the benefits the same, such as health care and monetary benefit amount?
Deborah L.
If I collect my benefits (at a reduced amount) at age 62 but I am a widow and my husband died (after collecting one SS disability check) can I;
Collect his FRA when I retire? Would it be at my FRA (66 +2 months) or what his age would be when I retire at age 66 +2months (he would be 69?) Or is it only at his age of 66 + 2 months? His DOB is 11/20/1953. My DOB is 9/8/55
Thank you,
Deborah L Aquino
R.F.
Thank you for your question, Deborah. If you become a widow, you can receive reduced benefits as early as age 60 (age 50 if disabled).
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.
The monthly amount you would get is a percentage of the deceased’s basic Social Security benefit. It depends on your age and the type of benefit you would be eligible to receive.
In many cases, a widow can restrict the scope of her application and start receiving survivor’s benefits, while delaying her own retirement benefit and earn delayed retirement credits.
The rules are complicated and vary depending on the situation. We recommend that you contact your local office or call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thanks.
Ronnie A.
how old do you have to be to continue to work full time and draw social security benefits and not affect the money you make from your job.
R.F.
Hi Ronnie! Everyone working in covered employment or self-employment regardless of age or eligibility for benefits must pay Social Security and Medicare taxes. In the other hand, if you work and are full retirement age or older, the amount you make at work will not affect your Social Security benefits, no matter how much you earn. Please read our publication “How Work Affects Your Benefits” for more information.
MARK B.
MARK C BILLINGS on January 7, 2018 at 12:11 am said:
I’m 69 and receiving SSI benifits. My wife is 60 and still working full time. I putting together a file in my computer to help her on all the things she will need to know, people to contact and financial info should I die before she stops working. My question is if I die before her will she be eligible to receive my SSI benifits.
R.F.
Thank you for your question, Mark. Please visit our Survivors Planner to see how your wife can be eligible for benefits on your record if you die. Thanks!
MARK C.
I’m 69 and receiving SSI benifits. My wife is 60 and still working full time. I putting together a file in my computer to help her on all the things she will need to know, people to contact and financial info should I die before she stops working. My question is if I die before her will she be eligible to receive my SSI benifits.