You may have seen some alarming headlines recently claiming that Social Security is about to raise the retirement age—and if you’re anywhere near retirement, that kind of news can be terrifying.
Let’s set the record straight. There has not been any official change to the retirement age, and no new policy has been announced. The panic started after a single comment during a recent interview stirred up speculation—and that speculation took on a life of its own.
Here’s what actually happened, what it means, and what you need to know.
Where Did This All Start?
During a FOX News interview on Thursday, Social Security Administration Commissioner Frank Bisignano was asked whether raising the full retirement age was something being considered. His exact response was:
“I think everything’s being considered, will be considered.”
That vague, non-committal answer was enough to spark a media frenzy, with some outlets implying that raising the retirement age was a done deal. But in reality, that comment did not reflect an actual policy change—it was simply an acknowledgment that the idea has been discussed.
And to be clear, the SSA cannot raise the retirement age on its own. That kind of change would require congressional approval.
What’s Actually Changing?
Right now, there’s only one age-related shift in play, and it’s been happening for years.
Social Security has been gradually increasing the full retirement age from 65 to 67. This process has been phased in over time—adding two months for each birth year—since changes were first signed into law back in 1983.
- If you were born in 1959, your full retirement age is now 66 years and 10 months.
- If you were born in 1960 or later, your full retirement age is 67.
This final step in the gradual increase is expected to roll out next year, as explained in this CBS News article, and it has nothing to do with any recent interview or headline.
What’s the Talk About Raising It to 69 or 70?
That part is where things get speculative.
Some lawmakers and policy experts have floated the idea of raising the full retirement age to 69 or even 70 in order to help stabilize Social Security’s finances. This suggestion is gaining more attention because the program is projected to face serious funding shortfalls within the next decade.
According to the Social Security Board of Trustees, the OASI and DI trust funds—which pay retirement, survivor, and disability benefits—are expected to become insolvent by 2034. If that happens, benefits could be automatically reduced by as much as 24%, unless Congress acts.
Raising the retirement age could reduce how much the program pays out overall. But it would also mean smaller lifetime benefits for future retirees—especially those in physically demanding or lower-wage jobs, where working longer simply isn’t realistic.
That’s why this idea is controversial—and why, even if it moves forward, it would likely be phased in slowly and only affect younger workers.
What Did the SSA Say Afterward?
After the interview and the swirl of media coverage that followed, the SSA issued a public clarification. In a statement posted to X (formerly Twitter), the agency wrote:
“Raising the retirement age is not under consideration.”
So while the commissioner did acknowledge the possibility during his interview, the administration later made it clear that no such policy is currently being pursued.
Will This Affect You?
Here’s the good news: if you’re already receiving Social Security benefits—or you’re just a few years away from retirement—none of this affects you. Any future changes to the retirement age would most likely apply only to people who are decades away from retirement today.
In the past, when age changes were made, they were phased in gradually—usually by just two months per birth year. So if anything does happen in the future, it’s not going to be sudden, and it’s not going to impact people already on benefits.
Relief Recap
Despite the headlines, there is no plan in place to raise the Social Security retirement age right now. The only age increase currently happening was set into motion years ago and only applies to people born in 1960 or later. The Social Security Administration has publicly clarified that raising the age is not under active consideration.
If any changes do happen, they’ll take time—and they won’t affect current retirees or those close to retirement. As always, we’re here to help break down confusing news and help you make sense of what really matters.