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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Doris P.
I was born in Aug.1954 and turn 65 in August 2019, so am I entitled to full retirement as of August 2019
A.C.
Hi, Doris. An individual’s full retirement age is determined by their year of birth. If you were born in 1954, your full retirement age is 66. You can start your Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62, but the benefit amount you receive will be less than your full retirement benefit amount. For more information visit our Retirement Benefits Planner: Can You Take Benefits Before Full Retirement Age? webpage. We hope this helps.
Doris P.
I was born in August 1954 and turning 65 in August 2019.Am I due for full retirement at age 65.
Mike F.
Can I start earning unlimited income at age 65 and not be penalized on my social security retirement benefits if I was born in February of 1954??
A.C.
Hi, Mike. An individual’s full retirement age is determined by their year of birth. If you were born in 1954, your full retirement age is 66. At full retirement age, there is no earnings limit. If you are receiving retirement benefits, check out how work affects Social Security payments in our publication, How Work Affects Your Benefits. Thanks.
craig
what is my estimated social security benefits.
V.V.
Hi Craig, thank you for the question. Social Security has an online calculator called a Retirement Estimator that provides immediate retirement benefit estimates based on your actual Social Security earnings record. Plus, it also allows you to create “what if” scenarios. You can, for example, change your “stop work” dates or expected future earnings to create and compare different retirement alternatives.
See our Benefits Planner: Retirement web page for more on obtaining benefit estimates.
Suzie R.
Can I withdraw money from my social security account to pay my over payment of $12000 social security disability?
R.F.
Hello Suzie. For security reasons, we do not have access to information about your account on this blog. To request “partial withholding of your benefits” to repay the overpayment, you will have to contact your local office as soon as possible or call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, but you will generally have a shorter wait time if you call later during the day or later in the week. Thanks!
Julia R.
I turn 67 on April 14, 2019. Do I have to wait until May 1 to get the full age 67 benefit, or will I receive the age 67 benefit on April 1.
Alicia K.
I am 77 years old, and have not retired. Can I still apply for and receive Social Security benefits?
A.C.
Hi, Alicia. If you work and are full retirement age or older, you may keep all of your benefits, no matter how much you earn, starting with the month you reach your full retirement age. Please visit our Retirement Planner: Getting Benefits While Working for more information. If you have specific questions about your situation, please call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 and speak with one of our agents. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Or contact your local Social Security office directly. Thanks.
bobbie o.
i have been married to randy osterkamp cents 2006 and i was told that i could get spouse benefits is that true he passed away in 2017
V.V.
Hi Bobbie, we are very sorry for your loss. Your survivor amount is based on your deceased spouse’s earnings. The more he paid into Social Security, the higher your widow’s benefit will be. If he was receiving reduced benefits when he passed away, the survivors benefit is based on that amount.
Widows benefit are payable as early as age 60 (for a reduced benefit) or a full widows benefit at full retirement age or older.
Use our Survivors Planner for more information on survivor benefits.
RON
I turn 70 on April 18th, 2019. I plan to maximize my SS benefits in order to receive the maximum amount in monthly pay out payments (4 Questions Please)..
1) What date should I apply for this benefit. Jan, Feb, Mar, or April???
2) Will my first payment be sent to me by mail, Direct Deposit, or Other.
3) People tell me that I will receive a maximum payout benefit on April 1st 2019. Is that true? Even if my Birth date is April 18th???
4) Can I have my Medicare costs automatically deducted from my SS Retirement benefits?
Joyce S.
I am 67 years old will be 68 in March 2019, so if I go to work for awhile will it both my social security benefits??
V.V.
Joyce, thank you for your question. Generally, if you continue to work while receiving retirement benefits, your monthly benefit amount may increase. As long as you continue to work and receive benefits, we will check your record every year to see whether the additional earnings will increase your monthly benefit. If there is an increase, we will send you a letter telling you of your new benefit amount. You can call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 for further assistance. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thanks!