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Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →The Social Security full retirement age (FRA) is now 67 for people born in 1960 or later. That is the final step in a gradual, birth-year-based schedule—not a new 2026 cut to everyone’s benefits. It affects how early or delayed retirement claims are calculated. Medicare eligibility remains 65.
What changed—and who has a full retirement age of 67?
Full retirement age is the age at which a worker becomes eligible for 100% of the Social Security retirement benefit calculated from their earnings record. It depends on birth year. Under the Social Security Administration’s 2026 reference table, FRA is 66 years and 10 months for people born in 1959, and 67 for people born in 1960 or later. SSA’s 2026 reference table lists the schedule.
The schedule rose in stages under existing law. The transition matters to people making their own claiming decision; it did not newly lower every retiree’s check in 2026. In particular, someone born in 1960 or later should use 67—not 66—as the benchmark for a full retirement benefit.
What does FRA 67 mean for claiming at 62, 67, or 70?
For a person born in 1960 or later, the age at which they claim changes the monthly retirement benefit relative to their own FRA amount. The percentages below come from SSA’s retirement-planning tables; they are not dollar estimates, and an individual’s benefit depends on their earnings record.
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| Claiming age | Benefit relative to FRA amount | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| 62 | 70.0% for a person born in 1960 or later, according to SSA’s current planner. The percentage varies with the claiming month. | Payments can begin earlier, but the monthly benefit is reduced compared with claiming at FRA. |
| 67 (FRA) | 100% of the person’s FRA benefit. | This is the full-retirement-age benchmark for people born in 1960 or later. |
| 70 | 124% for a person born in 1960 or later, according to SSA’s delayed-retirement table. | Waiting past FRA can raise the monthly amount. The increase stops at 70. |
SSA’s planner for people born in 1960 or later shows how the benefit percentage varies by claiming age and month. Its delayed-retirement table explains the increase for waiting beyond FRA.
These percentages alone do not identify the best claim age for everyone. Waiting means forgoing benefit payments during the months before claiming, while starting earlier provides payments sooner at a lower monthly level. Health, income needs, work plans, and the individual’s Social Security estimate all matter.
Does FRA 67 change Medicare eligibility?
No. The FRA schedule and Medicare eligibility are separate. Medicare eligibility remains at 65; SSA states this distinction in its full retirement age FAQ, dated January 2, 2026. Do not assume that a Social Security claiming age of 67 means Medicare enrollment should wait until 67.
How working in 2026 can affect benefits claimed before FRA
The retirement earnings test is a separate rule from the FRA schedule. In 2026, if you receive retirement benefits and are under FRA for the entire year, SSA’s earnings limit is $24,480. SSA withholds $1 in benefits for every $2 of earnings above that limit.
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If you reach FRA during 2026, the limit is $65,160 for earnings before the month you reach FRA. SSA withholds $1 for every $3 earned above that limit during that period. The earnings test applies to earnings, not all income. Check SSA’s 2026 COLA fact sheet for the annual limits and withholding rules.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to check your own retirement estimate
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Confirm your birth year and the corresponding FRA in SSA’s 2026 reference table.
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Review your earnings record and personalized estimates using your Social Security account or SSA’s retirement planner.
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Compare estimates for claiming at different ages, including the monthly amount and how long you would wait to start payments. Use your own estimates rather than applying the percentages here to a guessed dollar amount.
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If you expect to work while collecting benefits before FRA in 2026, check the relevant earnings-test limit and withholding calculation in SSA’s 2026 fact sheet.
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