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Age Requirements 2026

Social Security: Qualification Age Guide

Complete guide to Social Security qualification age and full retirement age (FRA) in 2026. Understand when you can claim benefits, how your birth year determines your FRA, and how age affects your monthly benefit amount.

Find Your FRACompare Ages

Key Social Security Ages

Understanding the critical ages for Social Security benefits

Age 62

Early Retirement

Earliest age to claim retirement benefits

Benefit Amount:
~70-75% of FRA benefit
Pros:
  • Access benefits earlier
  • Good if in poor health
  • Can help bridge to other income
Cons:
  • Permanent 25-30% reduction
  • Earnings test applies
  • Lower lifetime benefits if long-lived
Age FRA

Full Retirement Age

Age for full, unreduced benefits (66-67 based on birth year)

Benefit Amount:
100% of earned benefit
Pros:
  • Full benefit amount
  • No earnings limit
  • Baseline for calculations
Cons:
  • Miss delayed credits
  • Opportunity cost if healthy
  • Not optimal for everyone
Age 70

Maximum Benefits

Age for maximum retirement benefits with delayed credits

Benefit Amount:
~124-132% of FRA benefit
Pros:
  • Maximum monthly amount
  • 8% annual increase
  • Best for longevity
Cons:
  • Delayed income
  • May not break even if shorter life
  • Opportunity cost

Full Retirement Age by Birth Year

Find your full retirement age based on when you were born

Year of BirthFull Retirement Age
1943-195466 years
195566 and 2 months
195666 and 4 months
195766 and 6 months
195866 and 8 months
195966 and 10 months
1960 or later67 years

Important: Your full retirement age is determined by your year of birth and cannot be changed. This is the age at which you can claim 100% of your earned Social Security benefit without any reduction.

Understanding Social Security Qualification Age

Social Security qualification age refers to the various ages at which you become eligible for different types of Social Security benefits. The most important age is your full retirement age (FRA), which is the age at which you can claim 100% of your earned retirement benefit without any reduction.

Your full retirement age is determined by your year of birth. For people born in 1960 or later, FRA is 67. For those born between 1955-1959, FRA gradually increases from 66 and 2 months to 66 and 10 months. Understanding your FRA is crucial because it affects when you can claim benefits and how much you'll receive.

While you can claim retirement benefits as early as age 62, doing so results in a permanent reduction to your monthly benefit. Conversely, delaying benefits beyond your FRA up to age 70 increases your monthly benefit through delayed retirement credits. The age you choose to claim can significantly impact your lifetime Social Security income.

Different types of Social Security benefits have different age requirements. Retirement benefits can start at 62, survivor benefits at 60 (or 50 if disabled), and disability benefits have no minimum age. Understanding these qualification ages helps you plan your retirement and maximize your benefits.

Claiming Age Impact on Benefits

How your claiming age affects your monthly benefit amount

Early Retirement Reduction

Claiming before full retirement age

If FRA is 67:

  • Claim at 62:~70% of FRA benefit
  • Claim at 63:~75% of FRA benefit
  • Claim at 64:~80% of FRA benefit
  • Claim at 65:~86.7% of FRA benefit
  • Claim at 66:~93.3% of FRA benefit

Example Calculation:

FRA Benefit Amount:
$2,000/month
If claimed at 62:
$1,400/month
Permanent $600/month reduction

Delayed Retirement Credits

Claiming after full retirement age

If FRA is 67:

  • Claim at 67 (FRA):100% of FRA benefit
  • Claim at 68:108% of FRA benefit
  • Claim at 69:116% of FRA benefit
  • Claim at 70:124% of FRA benefit
8% increase per year (2/3 of 1% per month)

Example Calculation:

FRA Benefit Amount:
$2,000/month
If delayed to 70:
$2,480/month
Permanent $480/month increase

Age Requirements by Benefit Type

Different Social Security benefits have different age requirements

Retirement Benefits

Standard retirement benefits based on your work record

Minimum
62
FRA
66-67
Maximum
70
  • Earliest eligibility: Age 62 (reduced benefits)
  • Full benefits: Age 66-67 (based on birth year)
  • Maximum benefits: Age 70 (with delayed credits)
  • Need 40 work credits (10 years)

Spousal Benefits

Benefits based on your spouse's work record

Minimum
62
FRA
66-67
Maximum
N/A
  • Earliest eligibility: Age 62 (reduced to ~32.5%)
  • Full benefits: Age 66-67 (up to 50% of spouse's FRA benefit)
  • No delayed credits after FRA
  • Spouse must have filed for benefits

Survivor Benefits

Benefits for widow(er)s of deceased workers

Minimum
60
FRA
66-67
Maximum
N/A
  • Earliest eligibility: Age 60 (reduced benefits)
  • Age 50 if disabled
  • Any age if caring for child under 16
  • Full benefits at your FRA (100% of deceased's benefit)

Disability Benefits (SSDI)

Benefits for workers who become disabled

Minimum
Any
FRA
N/A
Maximum
FRA
  • No minimum age requirement
  • Must meet disability criteria
  • Need recent work credits
  • Converts to retirement benefits at FRA

Important Age Considerations

Key factors to consider when choosing your claiming age

Health and Life Expectancy

Your health status and family history of longevity should heavily influence your claiming decision. If you're in poor health or have a shorter life expectancy, claiming early at 62 may provide more lifetime benefits. If you're healthy with a family history of longevity, delaying until 70 could maximize your lifetime income. The "break-even" age is typically around 78-80 years old.

Financial Need and Other Income

If you need income immediately and don't have sufficient savings or other retirement income, claiming at 62 may be necessary. However, if you have other sources of income (pensions, investments, part-time work) or adequate savings, delaying Social Security can provide a higher guaranteed income stream for life. Consider your overall retirement income strategy.

Spousal and Survivor Benefits

If you're married, coordinate claiming strategies with your spouse. The higher earner delaying benefits can provide a larger survivor benefit for the surviving spouse. If there's a significant age difference or earnings disparity, strategic claiming can maximize household lifetime benefits. Consider both spouses' ages, earnings records, and life expectancies.

Employment Plans

If you plan to continue working before full retirement age, be aware of the earnings test. In 2026, if you're under FRA and earn above the annual limit (approximately $23,400 for 2025), your benefits will be reduced. Once you reach FRA, there's no earnings limit. If you plan to work substantially, it may make sense to delay claiming until FRA or later.

Medicare Considerations

Medicare eligibility begins at age 65, regardless of when you claim Social Security. If you retire before 65, you'll need to arrange for health insurance coverage until Medicare starts. If you delay Social Security past 65, you should still enroll in Medicare at 65 to avoid late enrollment penalties, unless you have creditable coverage through current employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Social Security qualification age

What is the full retirement age for Social Security in 2026?

Full retirement age (FRA) depends on your birth year. For people born in 1960 or later, FRA is 67. For those born between 1955-1959, FRA ranges from 66 and 2 months to 66 and 10 months. If you were born in 1943-1954, your FRA is 66. You can find your exact FRA by checking the Social Security Administration's chart based on your year of birth.

Can I start collecting Social Security at age 62?

Yes, you can claim Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62. However, claiming before your full retirement age results in a permanent reduction in your monthly benefit amount. If your FRA is 67, claiming at 62 reduces your benefit by about 30%. The reduction is calculated based on the number of months before FRA that you claim. This reduction is permanent and will affect your benefits for life.

What is the best age to start taking Social Security?

The best age to claim Social Security depends on your individual circumstances, including your health, financial needs, life expectancy, employment status, and whether you have other retirement income. Claiming at 62 gives you benefits earlier but at a reduced amount. Waiting until full retirement age gives you 100% of your benefit. Delaying until 70 maximizes your monthly benefit with delayed retirement credits. Consider consulting a financial advisor to determine the optimal claiming strategy for your situation.

How much more do I get if I wait until age 70?

If you delay claiming Social Security beyond your full retirement age, you earn delayed retirement credits of 8% per year (or 2/3 of 1% per month) until age 70. For someone with an FRA of 67, waiting until 70 increases the benefit by 24% compared to claiming at FRA. For example, if your FRA benefit is $2,000/month, waiting until 70 would increase it to approximately $2,480/month. There's no benefit to waiting past age 70, as delayed retirement credits stop accruing.

What happens if I claim Social Security early at 62?

Claiming at 62 results in a permanent reduction to your monthly benefit. The exact reduction depends on your full retirement age. If your FRA is 67, claiming at 62 reduces your benefit by approximately 30%. If your FRA is 66, the reduction is about 25%. This reduction is permanent and applies for the rest of your life. Additionally, if you continue working while receiving benefits before FRA, the earnings test may further reduce your benefits if you earn above the annual limit.

How is full retirement age determined?

Full retirement age is determined by your year of birth. The Social Security Act originally set FRA at 65, but amendments gradually increased it. For people born in 1937 or earlier, FRA is 65. It gradually increases for those born from 1938-1959, reaching 66 for those born 1943-1954, then continuing to increase by 2 months per birth year until reaching 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later. Your FRA is fixed based on your birth year and doesn't change.

Can I change my mind after claiming Social Security?

Yes, but with limitations. If you claimed benefits within the past 12 months and haven't reached full retirement age, you can withdraw your application by filing Form SSA-521. You must repay all benefits received (including any family benefits and Medicare premiums). You can only do this once in your lifetime. Alternatively, if you've reached full retirement age, you can suspend your benefits to earn delayed retirement credits, without having to repay what you've already received.

What is the minimum age to qualify for Social Security disability?

There is no minimum age to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), but you must have worked and earned enough work credits. The number of credits needed depends on your age when you become disabled. Generally, you need 40 credits (10 years of work), with 20 of those earned in the last 10 years ending with the year you become disabled. Younger workers need fewer credits. For Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits, you must be age 18 or older (or meet childhood disability requirements).

At what age can a widow or widower claim survivor benefits?

Widow(er)s can claim reduced survivor benefits as early as age 60 (or age 50 if disabled). Full survivor benefits are available at full retirement age. If you claim at 60, benefits are reduced to about 71.5% of the deceased worker's benefit amount. The reduction decreases gradually until reaching 100% at your FRA. If you're caring for the deceased worker's child who is under age 16 or disabled, you can receive benefits at any age without reduction.

Does my retirement age affect Medicare eligibility?

No, Medicare eligibility is separate from Social Security retirement age. You become eligible for Medicare at age 65, regardless of when you claim Social Security benefits or your full retirement age. You should enroll in Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period, which begins 3 months before the month you turn 65 and ends 3 months after. If you delay enrollment without creditable coverage, you may face late enrollment penalties. You can claim Social Security at 62 and still wait until 65 for Medicare, or vice versa.

Ready to Plan Your Social Security Claiming Strategy?

Use the Social Security Administration's online tools to estimate your benefits at different ages and create a personalized claiming strategy.

Retirement EstimatorMy Social Security Account

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