Deciding exactly when to claim your Social Security is a confusing and huge decision in 2026. In fact, in 2026 the long running increase in the FRA or the Full Retirement Age is reaching its final stage too – thereby affecting all those Americans who were born after 1960’s.
Understanding what these new rules and updates are will help maximize benefits and reduce any costly mistakes for you.
What is the Full Retirement Age in 2026?
The social security retirement age in 2026 has been updating and changing in 2026 – so here is everything you need to know.
The FRA is the age at which you will receive 100% of your Social Security retirement benefits based on the record of your earnings.
The full retirement age in 2026 says that even though you can start collecting your benefits from the age of 62, your monthly payments will be reduced if you do so before your FRA.
Similarly, if you exceed your social security retirement age in 2026 then you will increase your monthly payments through the help of delayed credits.
What has changed in 2026?
The biggest update in the social security retirement age in 2026 is that the gradual increase in the FRA will reach its final scheduled step this year.
Individuals born in 1960 or later will now have a full retirement age of 67 which will complete the entire phase increase in the FRA. This was started with the 1983 Social Security reforms which raised the FRA age from 65 to 67.
It is not a new law that is passing in 2026 – the social security retirement age in 2026 is simply the final phase of a 4 decade long cycle that was in-built into Social Security in the 1980s and is now changing the retirement age from 65 to 67.
Full retirement age by birth year
| Year of birth | Full retirement age |
| 1957 | 66 years and 6 months |
| 1958 | 66 years and 8 months |
| 1959 | 66 years and 10 months |
| 1960 or later | 67 years |
Starting from 2026 according to the social security retirement age in 2026, if you were born in 1960 or after – you need to now wait till you are 67 to receive your full retirement benefit.
Who is affected because of the SSA age changes of 2026?
The social security retirement age in 2026 (SS age changes of 2026) mainly impacts:
- All those who are born in 1960 or later
- Individuals who turn 62 in 2026
- Anyone planning to retire before their full retirement benefit
Can I still claim my benefits at 62?
Yes!
The earliest age when you can receive your Social Security retirement benefits is the age 62 but if you choose to get your benefits at this age, you will get a reduced monthly payment than what you would get if you wait till 67.
If you claim your FRA at 62, you reduce around 30% of your benefits.
Should I wait until 67?
This is very subjective and depends more on your financial situation, health, energy levels and retirement goals.
If you wish to wait till age 67 to get the full retirement age in 2026, then:
- You will not have any retirement reductions
- You will get full monthly benefits
- Higher lifetime payments as well
What if I wait till age 70?
There is a lot of confusion around when to claim social security and if you should wait till 70 years of age or not. If you do, then you will get an increase in benefits even after the social security retirement age in 2026.
For every year you delay after 67, you earn delayed retirement credits which increase your monthly benefits. You could essentially earn 24% more if you wait till 70 years.
When should I claim Social Security then?
Deciding when to claim social security is a huge decision.
| Claim at 62 if | Claim at 67 if | Claim at 70 if |
| You need your income immediately | You want your full scheduled benefit | You can afford to wait – both physically and mentally |
| You have health concerns or a shorter life expectancy | You are retiring around your own full retirement age | You want the highest monthly payment |
| You expect lower lifetime benefits | Longevity runs in your family |
What are the other SSA age changes in 2026?
There are no other main SSA age changes in 2026 and most details remain the same.
- You can claim the benefits earliest at 62 years.
- The medicare eligibility is 65.
- The full retirement age is 67 for all those who are born after 1960 or later
- Delayed retirement will still grant benefits after age 70
Final thoughts
The changes to the social security retirement age in 2026 are extremely important to be aware of because they essentially impact thousands of Americans – most of whom are currently young adults who have just started working.
According to the SSA age change in 2026 people will now be able to claim their full FRA benefit at the age of 67. Based on all these factors, it depends on you, your health, finances, dependents and liabilities when you can claim social security.
