The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced a drastic FRA change starting in 2025. The FRA for people born in 1959 will be 66 years and 10 months, instead of 66 years and 8 months. This change is a modification that is part of a transition initiated by the 1983 Social Security Amendments, aimed at addressing the increase in life expectancy while maintaining the trust fund in equilibrium in the long run.
Even though the option remains for people to start their benefits when they turn 62, if they do, they will permanently reduce their monthly checks. On the other hand, deferring benefits beyond the FRA to age 70 could increase monthly benefits. It is important to understand these changes as the age at which policymakers decide that workers should be able to claim full benefits can affect retirement planning and ultimately financial security in retirement.
Social Security Retirement Age Changes 2025
Raising the FRA to 67 in 2025 would be a dramatic milestone in the history of Social Security. The full retirement age, or FRA, for those born in 1959, will be 66 and 10 months continuing its rise to keep retirement benefits more closely in step with longevity. This change raises the full retirement age for people who turn 65 in 2025 by roughly two years from the original full retirement age of 65.
Early retirement is still on the table, but it will also mean your monthly benefit will be cut by about 29.17% (for someone with an FRA of 66 years and 10 months). Conversely, if you wait to claim until after the FRA, you may receive larger monthly payments even as much as 24% more through age 70. These changes demonstrate the integral role of strategic planning in determining the best time to file for Social Security.
Social Security Retirement Age Changes Overview
| Department | Social Security Administration |
| Article On | Social Security Retirement Age Changes 2025 |
| Country | USA |
| Eligibility | Must have 40 work credits |
| Amount | As per eligibility |
| Payment Mode | Direct Deposits and Paper Checks |
| Payment Schedule | Monthly |
| Category | Latest News |
| Official Website | Ssa.gov |
Eligibility for Social Security Retirement Benefits
- Have 40 credits of work covered under the Social Security system, about 10 years of work.
- For spousal benefits, you must be married for at least one year to an eligible worker.
- Divorcee spouses can get them too, if the marriage lasted at least a decade and he or she is currently unmarried.
- Widowed spouses who are 60 or older (or 50 if disabled) can also claim survivors’ benefits.
Payment Schedule
Social Security retirement benefits are paid monthly, and the date of that payment is based on the beneficiary’s Date of birth. In May 2025, beneficiaries born after the 20th of the month were paid on May 28. But if the first is on a Saturday or is a federal holiday, the payment deadline is shifted to the last business day of the preceding month.
For example, if June 1 is on a weekend, then SSI benefits are paid on May 30 of that year. These corrections are standard and are made to expedite fund availabilities, not to duplicate payments.
Deadline to Claim
There’s no hard-and-fast rule when it comes to when you should start taking Social Security retirement benefits, but your filing age can greatly affect the amount you will receive. For example, filing at 62 with a full retirement age is 67 results in a benefit cut of 30%.
On the other hand, if you postpone benefits beyond the FRA, you increase those monthly payments by roughly 8% for each year of delay (up to age 70). So, while you have some leeway on when to claim benefits, it’s important to factor in your financial needs, health, and life expectancy at that time. Thinking critically about retirement planning can dramatically increase overall benefits across a lifetime and plan for a secure retirement.
Benefits of Social Security Retirement Age Changes
The incremental increase in the Full Retirement Age (FRA) is one of the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) responses to humanity’s shifting demographics, namely higher life expectancy. It is designed to induce people to work longer and call for benefits later in life, improving the system’s fiscal viability.
For those who are collecting, postponing retirement can mean bigger monthly checks, which can make a big difference in people’s lives. Although it may mean rethinking retirement plans for some, these changes are necessary for the long-term future of the Social Security system as a whole and present options to maximize benefits through accumulating delayed retirement credits.
FAQs
If I turned 62, can I still get my social security?
Yes, you can begin collecting as early as 62, but your checks will be much smaller than they would have been if you waited until you reached your Full Retirement Age.
What is the Full Retirement Age for someone born in 1960?
Native-born in 1960 and after, Full Retirement Age is 67.
How much extra would I get by waiting until 70?
The longer you wait to claim benefits past your Full Retirement Age (FRA) and up to age 70, the higher your monthly benefit – up to 8% more for every year, or 24% in all.
Is Social Security subject to tax?
Your Social Security benefits could be taxed at 0%, 50%, or 85%, depending on your overall income level. For specific advice, always consult with a tax professional.