Full Retirement Age (FRA) is the birthday at which you are entitled to collect full Social Security benefits. When the Social Security program first began in 1930, the full retirement age was 65, and that is where it remained for decades. But no longer.
Recognizing Americans’ increased longevity and the need to protect the program’s long-term solvency, in 1983 the agency began raising full retirement age. Increases were structured in two-month increments, based on the beneficiary’s year of birth.
Here are the current FRAs:
It Still Pays To Delay Benefits, If Possible
You can begin taking benefits as early as age 62, but the monthly benefit will be reduced by 5/9 of 1% for each month for the first 36 months. After 36 months, benefits are reduced by 5/12 of 1% each month. On the other hand, if you can wait to collect benefits until after your FRA, your monthly benefits will increase by 2/3 of 1% each month for every month until you turn 70.
Note: You must take Social Security benefits by your 70th birthday.
65 Is Still The Age for MEDICARE Enrollment
Do not confuse Medicare and Social Security enrollment dates. If you are 65 and already collecting Social Security, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A. If you are not collecting Social Security benefits, you will need to take steps to enroll. You must sign up for Medicare Part A no later than 3 months after your 65th birthday. The enrollment period begins three months before the month you turn 65. If you fail to sign up, you may have to pay a penalty.
Deciding When To Take Social Security Benefits
There are numerous factors you should consider regarding the best time to begin collecting benefits. Some people’s circumstances allow them to delay taking benefits. Others will need them even before full retirement age. Your financial, health, employment and marital status are just some of the important factors to be considered.
To help you determine how to maximize your Social Security benefits, check out the wealth of information on the Social Security website.
Getting Advice
It is still possible to visit a Social Security field office for assistance, but walk-ins are no longer permitted. You must make an appointment, in advance. You can schedule your appointment via the website, but the portal on the website will first ask you to answer a number of questions and re-direct you to pages on the website that could potentially answer your question and eliminate the need to visit an office. Click here.
If you want to skip the portal and directly schedule an appointment for a Social Security office, you must call 800-772-1213. Be prepared: you could be on hold a long time, because the agency is operating at reduced staffing levels. The workforce was cut by 13% in 2025, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
If you have a financial planner who understands your overall financial circumstances and Social Security, consider talking with him/her about how and when to claim benefits. If you do not have a financial professional to assist you, call us at 561-625-1100 and we will provide you with the names of professionals we know and trust.
