🏦 Social Security · Updated 2026
Retirement Age Calculator
Find your exact full retirement age (FRA) by birth year, your earliest retirement date at 62, your Social Security benefit impact, and how many years until you can retire.
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Disclaimer: This calculator uses official Social Security Administration (SSA) full retirement age rules. Benefit percentages are estimates only. Consult a financial advisor or visit SSA.gov for personalized benefit projections.
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Retirement Age Calculator
Enter your birth date to find all your retirement milestones
Years Until Full Retirement
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💰 Social Security Benefit Impact (US)
Official SSA Reference
Full Retirement Age by Birth Year
Official Social Security Administration full retirement ages — updated for 2026
| Birth Year |
Full Retirement Age |
Retire at 62 — Benefit Reduction |
Delay to 70 — Benefit Increase |
Source: Social Security Administration (SSA.gov). Your row is highlighted in the table above after calculating.
Retirement Guide
Understanding Your Retirement Ages
The three key retirement age milestones every American should know
⚡ Age 62 — Earliest Retirement
You can begin collecting Social Security benefits as early as age 62. However, your monthly benefit will be permanently reduced by 25–30% compared to your full retirement age benefit. This reduction is permanent and lasts for the rest of your life. Ideal if you need income sooner or have health concerns about longevity.
✅ Age 66–67 — Full Retirement Age
Your Full Retirement Age (FRA) is determined by your birth year. At FRA, you receive 100% of your earned Social Security benefit. For anyone born in 1960 or later, the FRA is 67. This is the baseline — retire earlier and you get less, retire later and you get more.
🚀 Age 70 — Maximum Delayed Benefit
If you delay collecting Social Security beyond your FRA up to age 70, your benefit increases by 8% per year (0.67% per month). By waiting until 70, you can receive up to 124–132% of your FRA benefit. There is no benefit to waiting beyond age 70 — credits stop accruing.
FAQ
Retirement Age — Common Questions
What is the full retirement age for someone born in 1960 or later?
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For anyone born in 1960 or later, the Social Security full retirement age (FRA) is 67 years old. This was set by the Social Security Amendments of 1983, which gradually increased the FRA from 65 to 67 over several decades. If you were born before 1960, your FRA may be 66 and a certain number of months — use the calculator above to find your exact date.
How much is Social Security reduced if I retire at 62?
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If your FRA is 67 and you retire at 62, your Social Security benefit is permanently reduced by approximately 30%. The reduction is 5/9 of 1% for each month before FRA (up to 36 months), then 5/12 of 1% for each additional month. For example, if you would have received $2,000/month at FRA, retiring at 62 gives you approximately $1,400/month — for life. This is a significant long-term tradeoff worth careful consideration.
Is it better to retire at 62, 67, or 70?
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It depends on your health, financial needs, and longevity expectations. If you retire at 62, you get more years of payments but at a lower monthly amount. If you wait until 70, you get fewer years but up to 32% more per month. The "break-even" age — where total lifetime benefits equal out — is typically around age 80–82. If you expect to live past 82, waiting generally pays more in total. If you have health concerns, retiring earlier may make more sense.
What is the retirement age in other countries?
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Retirement ages vary significantly by country. The UK State Pension age is currently 66 for both men and women, rising to 67 between 2026–2028. Canada has a standard pension age of 65 (CPP). Australia has an Age Pension eligibility at 67. Germany is gradually raising from 65 to 67 by 2029. France recently raised its retirement age from 62 to 64 amid significant controversy. The US calculator above covers SSA rules — other countries follow different formulas.
Can I work while collecting Social Security before full retirement age?
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Yes, but there are earnings limits. If you collect Social Security before your FRA and earn above a certain threshold ($22,320 in 2024), SSA withholds $1 in benefits for every $2 you earn above the limit. In the year you reach FRA, the limit is higher and the withholding is $1 for every $3 above the limit. Once you reach your FRA, there is no earnings limit — you can earn any amount without a benefit reduction.
What is the full retirement age for someone born in 1958, 1959, or 1960?
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Born in 1958: Full retirement age is 66 years and 8 months.
Born in 1959: Full retirement age is 66 years and 10 months.
Born in 1960 or later: Full retirement age is 67 years exactly.
These ages were set by federal law and apply to your Social Security retirement benefits. Use the calculator above to get your exact retirement date and benefit impact.