Social Security full retirement age change for 2026: What you need to know
In this photo illustration, a Social Security card sits alongside checks from the U.S. Treasury on October 14, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Credit: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
The new year brings a big change for Social Security when it comes to claiming benefits. Starting in 2026, the Social Security Administration has made changes to the full retirement age (FRA).
Dig deeper:
The FRA is now 67 for people born in 1960 and later, meaning at age 67 you would receive 100% of your monthly benefit.
Prior to this year's change, FRA was age 66 and 10 months for those born in 1959, 66 years and 8 months for those born in 1958, 66 years and 6 months for those born in 1957, 66 years and 4 months for those born in 1956, 66 years and 2 months for those born in 1955, and 66 years for anyone born 1943-1954.
You can start collecting your Social Security retirement benefit at age 62, but your retirement benefit is permanently reduced by 30%. You can only receive full benefits when you reach your full retirement age, which is based on your birth year. If you delay taking your benefits from your full retirement age up to age 70, your benefit amount will increase, and you will earn delayed retirement credits (DRCs) that will increase your monthly payment by about 8% per year.
Every individual is different when it comes to determining when to start claiming Social Security benefits. Understanding how the FRA works is important so you can make the right choice on when to begin collecting benefits.
There are both advantages and disadvantages. If you start taking your Social Security benefit before your full retirement age, you’ll collect benefits for a longer period of time, but the monthly amount will be reduced. If you wait, you will be eligible for delayed retirement credits that would increase your monthly benefit.
The Social Security website has an online retirement planning page and a calculator to determine monthly payments and information on applying for benefits and your options.
The Source: Information in this article was provided by the Social Security Administration. This story was reported from Orlando.