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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Tonya B.
If you are currently drawing SS prior to full retirement age and working part time, can you stop social security and beginning working full time without a penalty?
R.F.
Thank you for your question, Tonya. When you receive Social security benefits and work at the same time, we usually ask that you give us an estimate of your earnings for the year. If later you realize your earnings will be higher or lower than you estimated, we ask that you notify us as soon as possible so that we adjust or suspend your benefits, if necessary and prevent an overpayment on your record.
To learn more about “How Work Affects Your Benefits”, visit our Frequently Asked Questions web page for more information. Please call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 and speak to one of our agents. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later during the day.
William C.
I started taking full SS benefits at age 70. I have 26 years of substantial qualified income. I looked at the WEP chart and know that my benefit would be reduced if I take the Texas Retirement System monthly benefit for which I am qualified.
What is my “eligibility year”? I
If I take the TRS monthly pension starting in August, 2018, how much will that affect my SS benefit?
R.F.
Hello William, our Online Calculator (WEP Version) allows you to estimate your Social Security benefit if you have a pension from work not covered by Social Security. We hope this helps!
Donna C.
I have a question. I am retiring for 62-year-old retirement. Lost my job and I don’t have a choice. I’ve never got remarried and we were married for 17 years. If I start getting my check in June, say in December he passes away etc. Will I be able to get survivors Widows benefits? He’s turning 65 in March this year. Will they be reduced or will I get anything?
R.F.
Hi Donna. Survivor’s Benefits are paid at a higher rate. Sometimes, a person could be entitled to more than one benefit at the same time and may receive a combination of benefits equaling a higher amount. For example, a person may be entitled as a retired worker on his/her own record and also as a spouse or widow on another record. However, this individual’s benefit amount can never exceed the highest of either benefit amount to which they are entitled to.
If you are the divorced spouse of a worker who dies, you could get benefits just the same as a widow or widower, provided that your marriage lasted 10 years or more. We hope this information helps!
Christine H.
My birthdate is April 8, 1953. What is my full retirement age?
J.Y.
Hello. If you were born between years 1943 and 1954, your Full Retirement Age is 66. For more information, please visit: https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/retirechart.html. Thanks!
Christine H.
I plan to retire April 6,2018. I will be 65 years old on that date. I am planning to get on my husband’s group plan. Do I need to apply for Medicare part A and B if I will be on his insurance plan?
R.F.
Hello Christine, if your husband is actively working and you are covered under his employer’s group health insurance program, you can delay enrollment into Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) until your husband stops working or the health coverage is dropped. You can just enroll in Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance).
However, we suggest that individuals speak to their health benefits advisor, or health plan representative to see what’s best for them, and to prevent any penalties or delayed enrollment in the future.
To learn more about the Medicare enrollment periods visit http://www.Medicare.gov.
For specific questions about your case, call 1-800-772-1213, M-F between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. and ask a representative to assist you, or you can contact your local office directly. Hope this helps!
Steven
I have a question about how much money I can make after the age of 68. Who can I talk to or email.
R.F.
Hello Mr. Steven! At 68, you’ve reached your full retirement age. 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.
michael p.
I am 65 yrs old born 1952, I am disabled and receiving disability. I met this lady and she is 68, I just became a widower in Nov. 1917. The lady , her husband been dead for 10 yrs. We realize we both dont have alot of time left. What are the pro and cons of getting married or just living together.
Roger e.
I turn 65 ,in April. I am on social security disability.do I go on regular social security.?.I have worked part-time, for 3 years.Does this change my monthly social security amount.
R.F.
Hi Roger, Social Security disability benefits automatically change to retirement benefits when disability beneficiaries attain their full retirement age.
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.
The benefit amount that you’re receiving, is based on the amount of your average lifetime earnings.
Disability benefits are established at the highest rate possible based on your earnings record.
Each year, we review the records for all working Social Security recipients to see if additional earnings may increase monthly benefits. If an increase is due, a new monthly benefit amount is established on your record automatically. We hope this information helps.
Ruby
I still don’t understand if I will receive his benefits as they are about twice mine .
Sharon S.
on the application for SSecurity they ask for and end date for employment, if I’m still working till April 30th what date do I enter/ ( a future date cannot be entered)?
R.F.
Hi Sharon, please call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance. Representatives are available between 7a.m. and 7p.m., Monday through Friday.
Generally, you’ll have a shorter wait time if you call later during the day or later in the week. Happy retirement!