Planning for retirement means understanding exactly when you can receive full Social Security benefits—not just the earliest age, but the full retirement age (FRA) that gives you the maximum benefit without reductions.
As of September 2025, the rules are clear: the FRA depends on your year of birth. This article outlines the full retirement age for each birth cohort, explains how claiming early or delaying affects benefit amounts, and gives you what you need to know to get the most out of your Social Security.
What Is Full Retirement Age (FRA)?
- Full Retirement Age is the age at which you become eligible for 100% of your Social Security retirement benefit. Claims before this age reduce your monthly benefit; waiting past it boosts your benefit.
- You can start collecting Social Security as early as age 62, but with a permanent reduction if you start before your FRA.
- If you delay claiming after your FRA (up to age 70), you earn delayed retirement credits, increasing your benefit.
Full Retirement Age by Birth Year (as of September 2025)
Here’s a table showing what FRA applies to you depending on your year of birth:
| Year of Birth | Full Retirement Age (FRA) |
|---|---|
| 1943–1954 | 66 years |
| 1955 | 66 years, 2 months |
| 1956 | 66 years, 4 months |
| 1957 | 66 years, 6 months |
| 1958 | 66 years, 8 months |
| 1959 | 66 years, 10 months |
| 1960 or later | 67 years |
Effects of Claiming Early vs Waiting
Below are the main consequences of claiming before, at, or after your FRA:
- If you claim at age 62 (the earliest possible), your benefit will be permanently reduced relative to what you would get at your FRA. The reduction depends on how much earlier than FRA you claim.
- If you claim exactly at FRA, you get 100% of your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA).
- Delaying benefits past FRA up to age 70 increases your benefit. There are delayed retirement credits, typically about 8% per year beyond your FRA.
What Has Changed / What’s Not New
- The FRA reached 67 years for those born in 1960 or later. That was part of a phased increase started years ago.
- In 2025, those born in 1959 will reach an FRA of 66 years and 10 months, meaning November 2025 onward FRA applies to them.
- There is no sudden change in FRA beyond 67 for those born later as of now. FRA remains 67 for 1960+ cohorts.
Why This Matters: Financial Implications
- Claiming too early (before your FRA) means missing out on monthly dollars permanently. If you claim at 62 instead of waiting until FRA, your benefit might be anywhere from about 25%-30% less.
- Waiting until FRA gives you your full PIA.
- Waiting even longer (up to age 70) garners delayed retirement credits, making monthly checks larger—useful for those who can afford to delay.
As of September 2025, your Full Retirement Age (FRA) under Social Security depends on your birth year: anyone born in 1960 or later must wait until age 67 to receive full benefits.
Those born earlier have a graduated FRA between 66 and just under 67 depending on the year and month.
