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What's Your Full Retirement Age — and What Does Claiming Early or Late Do?

Your full retirement age is set by your birth year, and every month you claim before or after it changes your Social Security check for life. Enter your birth date — and, if you have it, the benefit on your Social Security statement — to see exactly what each claiming age pays. Free for everyone — no membership required.

Full Retirement Age Calculator

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Takes about a minute

When were you born?

Your full retirement age is set by your birth year — and the exact day matters for when your first check can arrive.

Your date of birth

Applies Social Security's retirement-benefit rules to your birth date. Spousal, survivor and disability benefits, the earnings test and government-pension rules can change what you receive — confirm with Social Security or an accredited advisor.

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Ask an Accredited Social Security Advisor

When to claim depends on your health, your work plans and your spouse's record — not just your birth year. Share your question and one of the AMAC Foundation's nationally accredited Social Security Advisors will follow up with you.

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Ask a Social Security Advisor

Tell us what you're weighing — claiming age, a spouse's or survivor's benefit, working past 62, or anything else about your record — and we'll help you understand the rules, options and next steps that apply to you.

How would you like to be contacted?

No cost. No obligation. A free program of the AMAC Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charity.

Good to Know

Full Retirement Age, Explained

What is my full retirement age?
It depends on the year you were born: 65 if you were born in 1937 or earlier; 65 and 2 months for 1938, rising two months a year to 65 and 10 months for 1942; 66 for anyone born 1943 through 1954; 66 and 2 months for 1955, rising two months a year to 66 and 10 months for 1959; and 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later. If your birthday is January 1, Social Security uses the previous year.
What happens if I claim at 62?
Your monthly benefit is permanently reduced: five-ninths of 1% for each of the first 36 months before your full retirement age and five-twelfths of 1% for each month beyond that. With a full retirement age of 67, claiming at 62 means 30% less for life; with 66, 25% less. The reduction is per month, so claiming at 64 or 65 lands in between — the calculator shows every step.
How much more do I get by waiting until 70?
For people born in 1943 or later, every month you delay past full retirement age earns a delayed retirement credit of two-thirds of 1% — 8% a year. With a full retirement age of 67, waiting until 70 pays 124% of your full benefit; with 66, 132%. Credits stop at 70, so there's no reason to wait beyond it.
When can my first check arrive?
You must be 62 for the entire month, so the earliest benefits can start is the month after your 62nd birthday — unless your birthday is on the 1st or 2nd of the month, in which case it's the birthday month itself. Benefits are paid the month after they're due.
Can I work while collecting before full retirement age?
Yes, but the earnings test applies: in 2026 Social Security withholds $1 for every $2 you earn above $24,480 if you're under full retirement age all year, and $1 for every $3 above a higher limit in the year you reach it. Withheld benefits aren't lost — your check is recalculated upward at full retirement age. After that, you can earn any amount.
Does my full retirement age affect spousal or survivor benefits?
Yes. A spousal benefit is up to 50% of your spouse's full benefit if you claim it at your own full retirement age, reduced if you claim earlier, and it never earns delayed credits — so waiting past full retirement age for a spousal benefit gains nothing. Survivor benefits use a separate full retirement age table and can be claimed as early as 60. Coordinating two records is where couples most often leave money on the table; the AMAC Foundation's advisors do this every day.

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