US Social Security Retirement Age Rises to 67

Starting in January 2026, Americans born in 1960 or later will have to wait until age 67 to receive full Social Security retirement benefits—up from the current age of 66 and 10 months. This marks the final step in a gradual change that began in 1991 under the 1983 Social Security Amendments, linked to increasing life expectancies and efforts to shore up the system's finances. The adjustment will reduce benefits for those retiring early: anyone claiming at age 62 could see a decrease in their monthly payout of about 30%, compared to what they would have received at full retirement age. This change is meant to stabilize the system: raising the retirement age relieves some financial pressure on the Social Security Trust Fund, which is currently projected to be depleted around 2034–2035. However, many analysts warn this shift won't solve long-term funding challenges and regrettably places more strain on workers—especially those in physically demanding jobs or with shorter life expectancy. What retirees should know: * At 62, you begin claiming—but live on a reduced benefit. * If you wait until your full retirement age of 67, you receive 100% of your entitled payout. * Delaying benefits past 67 (up to age 70) increases payouts via delayed credits. * With the trust fund expected to ease pause by the mid-2030s, retirement planning may now require building savings, considering extended employment, or boosting retirement investments.