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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Gayle J.
I just signed up to receive retirement benefits at age 63. I had to file against both myself and my husband. Husband is 72 and waited until his full retirement age to collect benefits. If husband dies, do I receive his full retirement amount, or am I stuck with a reduced benefit as a widow, since I filed early retirement? I have not even received papers yet, because I just filed my retirement with social security yesterday. Please, someone, have I made a mistake and should I stop benefits before taking ANY asap? Thank you! Gayle
Ray F.
Hello Gayle. Generally, survivors benefits are paid at a higher rate. However, when 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. To see examples of the survivor’s benefit amount a widow can receive, visit our Benefits Planner For Survivors.
Also, keep in mind that if you change your mind about receiving Social Security benefits, you may withdraw your Social Security claim only if it has been less than 12 months since you were first entitled to benefits. If you withdraw your claim, you may re-apply at a future date. To withdraw your claim, you must make a request to withdraw in writing and repay the benefits that you received. For more information, visit our If You Change Your Mind page. We hope this information helps!
Sue R.
My husband wants to retire in July 2019. He turns 68 towards the end of the month. Can he retire on July 1st or does he need to wait until his birthdate to receive the 8% annual increase?
Ray F.
Hello Sue, if you delay benefits past your full retirement age, your year of birth and the number of months you delay determines how much your benefit can increase. Visit our “Delayed Retirement Credits” web page for more information on this topic. For further assistance, your husband can call us at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thanks!
Sheryl S.
Hello,
I understand about the Retirement Amendments passed in 1983, but I have been trying to find out when exactly, the age requirement increased to 67.
I have been unable to find this information online.
Thank you,
Sheryl Smith
Vonda V.
Hi Sheryl, thank you for using our blog. An individual’s full retirement age is determined by their year of birth. For individuals born in 1960 or later, their full retirement age is 67.
Check out our Retirement Planner: Benefits By Year Of Birth to understand why some people have different full retirement ages and what those ages are.
Sandra L.
I would like to file and switch on December 2018
when I turn 70. What do I need to do?
Vonda V.
Hi Sandra, thank you for your question. You can apply for retirement and spouse’s benefits four months before you want your payments to start. The easiest and most convenient way to apply is by using our online application. You can also call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. to make an appointment with your local office.
For more information, see Retirement Planner: Recent Social Security Claiming Changes.
Jannett G.
I started collecting ss at 62 in 2015. What age will i have to be to work without earning limits and it not affect my check
Vonda V.
Hi Jannett, thank you for the question. The amount you’re allowed to earn depends on your age. If you attain full retirement age (66) in 2018, the earnings limit is $45,360 but we only count earnings before the month you reach full retirement age. Beginning with the month you reach full retirement age, earnings no longer reduce your benefits, no matter how much you earn. If you’re under full retirement age for the entire year, then we deduct $1 from benefit payments for every $2 earned above the annual limit. For 2018, that limit is $17,040.
Visit our Retirement Planner: Getting Benefits While Working and our Retirement Earnings Test Calculator. Hope this helps!
Carrie D.
I am 67, and I recently retied. I collect C.P.P. and Old age benefits. I retired because of long health issuses and wonder if I would be able to receive disabilliy as well. I am of the Senaca indian band of southern On.
Vonda V.
Carrie, thank you for using our blog. When a person has reached his or her full retirement age (Currently 66) and is receiving Social Security retirement, they are not longer eligible for disability benefits. Thanks.
Joyce T.
I was told that once I reach my full retirement age, SSA will not hold my entire benefit check to repay overpayments but will reduce my check in installment payments to repay $1 for every $3 earned over the limit. If this is true then I need to know how to stop them from withholding my entire check for the next 6 months. If that happens, I will lose everything because I am no longer able to work.
Joyce
That is $1 for every $2 until the month I reach FRA and then $1 for $3 after my birth month I turn 66 (born in 1952).
Vonda V.
Hi Joyce: Our Overpayments factsheet offers information on options for repaying as well as appeal and waiver rights. For further assistance, please call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Representatives are available between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday or contact your local Social Security office.
For clarification purposes, once you attain full retirement age, earnings no longer reduce your benefits, no matter how much you earn. Visit our Retirement Planner: Getting Benefits While Working and our Retirement Earnings Test Calculator.
Diane D.
I received early retirement when I was 62 y/o . Now i’m 65 can I apply full retirement?
Ray F.
Hi Diane. No, you cannot. 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. Thanks!
Joyce
But her check will increase at FRA, correct?
Lydia S.
Question: I signed up for one year early retirement three weeks ago.. and then, got a job offer I didn’t want to pass up. What do I do? I would like to cancel the current request to retire this year in October, a month after my 65th birthday,and retire on the actual retirement date next year. How do I go about this? Thanks for any advice.
Ray F.
You can request to withdraw your application, Lydia. You will have to contact us as soon as possible. We intent for you to use this procedure only when your decision to file has resulted, or will result in a disadvantage to you.
Please keep in mind, that even if you plan to continue working, you may still be able to receive some benefits.
Also, If you are within three months of age 65 or older and not ready to start your monthly Social Security benefits yet, you should sign up for Medicare benefits -ONLY- and wait to apply for your retirement benefits later.
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. Or contact your local Social Security office directly.
We hope this information helps!
Richard M.
I turn 66 in January 2018 and this is my Full Retirement age, when should I apply for benifits to start in January 2018?