Key Takeaways:
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Full retirement age started shifting upward after the Social Security Amendments of 1983.
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Full retirement age increased in small amounts for people born in 1938 and later, reaching 67 for people born in 1960 and later.
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Age 62 remained the earliest age to begin claiming retirement benefits, but claiming before full retirement age typically means a smaller monthly check.
For a long time, many Americans believed 65 was the Social Security retirement age. Then the rules changed, and now many people know 67 as the new milestone. It also changed gradually over time, so people in the same family could all have different full retirement ages (FRAs).
It’s important to note that “retirement age” often means “full retirement age,” not the earliest age you can claim benefits. This guide will help you understand when the FRA shifted and how to find yours.
What Shifted Full Retirement Age?
The shift from 65 to 67 traces back to the Social Security Amendments of 1983 . Instead of raising the FRA all at once, the law established a phased-in schedule. That schedule increased the age for unreduced benefits in small steps based on birth year.
Social Security kept age 62 as the earliest claiming age, but early claiming typically comes with a larger reduction when the FRA is higher. The phase-in started with people born in 1938. Those workers were the first to see FRA go above 65.
The schedule increased FRA by a couple of months at a time until it reached 66. After an extended period at 66 for certain birth years, it began increasing again in small steps. Eventually, it reached 67 for those born in 1960 and later.
What Changed and What Stayed the Same?
The main change was the age for unreduced Social Security benefits, which the Social Security Administration (SSA) also refers to as FRA or “normal retirement age.” Before the change, the FRA was 65 for most people. After the change, it became a sliding scale between 65 and 67, depending on your birth year.
Age 62 remains the earliest age to begin claiming Social Security benefits. However, the gap between age 62 and FRA grew for many people, which also increased the size of the early-claim reduction . If you claim at 62 and your FRA is 67, your monthly benefit is normally lower than if your FRA were 65.
What Is the Timeline of the Retirement Age Change?
The law was passed in 1983, but the FRA increases didn’t begin affecting new retirees until later. The SSA has stated that workers born in 1938 were the first group affected by the gradual increase.
Those workers turned 62 in 2000, when the rising FRA began to affect retirement decisions. From there, FRA increased by small increments for each birth year. This continued for decades, reaching 67 for people born in 1960 and later.
What Is Your Full Retirement Age?
You can look up your FRA online using your date of birth. The SSA provides a convenient resource for this. If you were born in 1960 or later, your FRA is 67. If you were born earlier, it may be 66 and some months, or even 65 and some months for older birth years.
If you claim before the FRA, your benefit is reduced. If you claim after, your benefit can increase up to age 70 through delayed retirement credits (DRCs). The best choice depends on your budget, health needs, and household expenses, not just age.
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Understanding when the FRA shifted helps you make better choices because you can plan retirement benefits claiming around the correct milestone for your birth year. If you’re building a broader retirement plan, consider how your FRA could affect the years you may need to cover with savings before you can claim unreduced benefits.
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FAQs
Did Social Security change the earliest age at which you can claim retirement benefits?
No. Social Security kept 62 as the earliest age to start retirement benefits.
What law changed the full retirement age from 65 to 67?
The Social Security Amendments of 1983. The law phased in the FRA increase gradually across many years.
Why did full retirement age increase?
The change aimed to reflect longer life expectancy, reduce financial strain on the Social Security program, and encourage people to retire later.
Sources:
Social Security Amendments of 1983: Legislative History and Summary of Provisions | SSA
Filing for Social Security Early: The Financial Implications You Need to Understand | Investopedia
