Your Full Retirement Age (FRA) is the age at which you can receive your full Social Security retirement benefits—no reductions, no penalties.
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For many people, this number isn’t exactly 65 anymore. It depends on when you were born.
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Full Retirement Age by Birth Year
| Birth Year | Full Retirement Age |
|---|---|
| 1943–1954 | 66 |
| 1955 | 66 and 2 months |
| 1956 | 66 and 4 months |
| 1957 | 66 and 6 months |
| 1958 | 66 and 8 months |
| 1959 | 66 and 10 months |
| 1960 or later | 67 |
Why Full Retirement Age Matters
You can start Social Security as early as age 62, but there’s a catch.
- Your FRA is when you qualify for 100% of your Social Security benefit
- Claiming earlier (as early as 62) permanently reduces your monthly payment
- Waiting past FRA (up to age 70) permanently increases your benefit
Example
Let’s say your full benefit is $1,000/month at age 67:
- Claim at 62 → about $700/month
- Claim at 67 → $1,000/month
- Claim at 70 → about $1,240/month
That’s a significant difference over time.
When Should You Claim?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on:
- Your health and life expectancy
- Whether you’re still working
- Your financial needs
- Your spouse’s benefits (if applicable)
The Bottom Line
Your full retirement age is the key milestone for Social Security. Knowing it helps you make smarter decisions about when to claim—and how much you’ll receive.
