What is the full retirement age?

Full retirement age (FRA) is based on when you were born. If you were born in 1960 or later, FRA is 67. If you were born before 1960, FRA is 66 and a number of months (dependent on your year of birth). For instance, if you were born in 1959, it is 66 and 10 months.

Is the full retirement age changing in 2025?

Full retirement age changed in 2025. If you turn 66 in 2025, your FRA is 66 and 10 months. If you turned 66 in 2024, FRA was 66 and 8 months. Retirees turning 66 this year must claim benefits two months later than last year to avoid early filing reductions.

Is it better to claim Social Security at 62 or 67?

For anyone born in 1960 or later, the full retirement age for Social Security is 67. That means you will receive your standard unreduced benefit if you wait to claim, and monthly checks will be larger. However, some people prefer to claim at a younger age to enable early retirement or for other reasons, such as poor health. Both options can make sense, as it depends on your circumstances and goals.

Can I work after full retirement age?

You can work after full retirement age and earn as much as you'd like without affecting your Social Security benefits. The Social Security earnings test only applies to beneficiaries who have not yet reached full retirement age.

How much can I earn if I work after my full retirement age?

If you continue to work after reaching full retirement age, you may work and earn as much as you'd like. You will not be subject to the retirement earnings test, and your Social Security benefits will not be affected. If you claim benefits and continue working prior to FRA, you may forfeit part of your benefits if you earn above annual thresholds. However, your benefit amount will be recalculated at full retirement age to account for most of those forfeited funds.

Does working after full retirement age increase Social Security benefits?

Working after full retirement age could increase your Social Security benefits. Your benefits are based on average wages over your 35 highest-earning years (adjusted for inflation). Even after you've reached full retirement age, and even if you've already claimed benefits, the Social Security Administration continues to recalculate your average annual wage to account for new income. If your earnings after FRA are higher than previous years and raise your average wage for your 35 top-earning years, your benefits could rise accordingly.

What Is My Full Retirement Age for Maximum Social Security?

When can you retire and collect Social Security? It depends on when you were born.

By Matthew Frankel, CFP – Updated Feb 4, 2026 at 3:38 PM EST | Fact-checked by Parker Hicks

Key Points

Full retirement age (FRA) is 67 for those born in 1960 or later, lower for earlier births.
Claiming Social Security at FRA avoids penalties, after FRA earns 8% more yearly.
Working past FRA doesn't affect benefits; earnings can still boost benefit calculations.

Full retirement age (FRA) is the age when you can claim your standard Social Security retirement benefit. Your standard benefit is formally called your primary insurance amount (PIA), and it's based on your inflation-adjusted average wages earned throughout your career.

Full retirement age varies by birth year. For those born in 1960 or later, FRA is 67. If you were born prior to 1960, your FRA is slightly lower. For instance, if you were born in 1959, it is 66 and 10 months.

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An infographic explaining the retirement, disability, and survivors benefits that come from Social Security. — Image source: The Motley Fool.

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Table Source: Social Security Administration.

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Two people looking at paperwork and using a calculator. — Image source: Getty Images.

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2. Are Social Security benefits taxable at full retirement age?

Your age does not have an impact on whether you will owe federal tax on Social Security benefits. Depending on your earnings, you may pay federal taxes on Social Security benefits regardless of the age at which you claim.

Social Security benefits are taxed on amounts exceeding the "provisional income" limit set by the IRS. To calculate your provisional income, add up all non-Social Security sources of income, including nontaxable income such as municipal bond interest, and include half of your annual Social Security income.

Single filers earning provisional income between $25,000 and $34,000 and married joint filers earning between $32,000 and $44,000 will owe income taxes on 50% of their Social Security benefits. For single filers with provisional income above $34,000 and married filers above $44,000, up to 85% of Social Security benefits will be taxable.

Taxes on Social Security remain in effect following the passage of the "big, beautiful bill" (now law) on July 4, 2025. However, a new temporary tax deduction for Americans age 65 and older has reduced the number of retirees taxed on benefits because the deductions for more retired people now exceed their taxable benefits.

The White House's Council of Economic Advisers estimated that 88% of retirees will not pay tax on their payments as long as the deduction remains in effect.

Full retirement age FAQ

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About the Author

Matt Frankel, CFP, is a contributing Motley Fool stock market analyst and personal finance expert covering financial stocks, REITs, SPACs, and personal finance. Prior to The Motley Fool, Matt taught high school and college mathematics. He holds a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of South Carolina, a master’s degree in mathematics from Nova Southeastern University, and a graduate certificate in financial planning from Florida State University. He won a SABEW award for coverage of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. He is also regularly interviewed by Cheddar, The National Desk, and other TV networks and publications for his financial, stock market, and investing expertise.

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