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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Debi P.
I’m getting disability now, will there be different when I go to SSI?
R.F.
Social Security disability benefits automatically change to retirement benefits when disability beneficiaries attain their full retirement age. Benefits are not interrupted with this transition and the benefit amount will generally remains the same. Thanks!
David D.
I will turn 66 years on 11/23/53. Please let me know what would be the best date or time when i turn 66 to get all the best benifits without any reductions or loss
R.F.
Hello David. Our system is set up to take applications three months in advance. You can apply for your retirement benefits online at any time now. Remember that benefits are paid the month after they are due. So, for instance, if you want your benefits to begin with the month of November, you will receive your first benefit payment in December.
Please visit our Social Security Retirement Planner for more information. Thanks!
steven p.
I receive disability ss,will it decrease when I turn 66 thanks
R.F.
Hello Steven. Social Security disability benefits automatically change to retirement benefits when disability beneficiaries attain their full retirement age. Benefits are not interrupted with this transition and the benefit amount will generally remains the same. Thanks!
Lek S.
What proof do you need to get retirement benefits? Do you have to be American Citizen to received retirement?
R.F.
Hello Lek. Social Security offers an online retirement application that you can complete in as little as 15 minutes. In most cases, there are no forms to sign and usually no documentation is required. Social Security will process your application and contact you if any further information or documents are needed.
To qualify for Social Security benefits you need to have at least 40 credits (10 years of work), you do not have to be a U.S. citizen, you must have legal immigration status in the United States. You can qualify if you are a foreign citizen working legally in this country.
We hope this information helps!
Bonnie H.
Is there any financial help for caregivers of family members who are in disability?
R.F.
Hello Bonnie. Some individuals may be eligible to receive social services from the state in which they live. You can get information about services in your area from your state or local social services office. Or you can visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services web page for more information.
We hope this helps!
Jack R.
If born in 1953, what is the full retirement age?
R.F.
Hi Jack, if you were born between 1943 and 1954 your full retirement age is 66. Our Retirement Planner provides detailed information about your Social Security retirement benefits under current law. Thanks!
Charlene G.
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Jill Z.
I’m currently collecting my husband’s SS benefits I will attain age 70 on sept 21 2019. When do I apply for mine?
R.F.
Hello Jill. Our system is set up to take applications three months in advance and you can apply for your benefits online. Remember that benefits are paid the month after they are due. So, for instance, if you want your benefits to begin with the month of September, you will receive your first benefit payment in October.
Please visit our Social Security Retirement Planner for more information. Thanks!
Michael M.
I am at full retirement and get benefits, but I still work? My question is, will my retirement benefits increase since I am putting money into my social security.
R.F.
Great question, Michael. Each year, we review the records for all working Social Security recipients to see if additional earnings may increase their monthly benefits.
When you apply for retirement benefits, we base your benefit payment on your highest 35 years of earnings and your age when you start receiving benefits. If your earnings for the prior year are higher than one of the years we used to compute your retirement benefit, we will recalculate your benefit amount.
If an increase is due, a new monthly benefit amount is established on your record automatically. See “Getting Benefits While Working” for more information. Thanks!
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