Social Security Retirement Age Calculator

• Planning for Retirement: A Decade-by-Decade Guide
• A Guide to Retirement Savings: How Much Do You Really Need?

1. Enter Your Birth Year: Input the 4-digit year you were born.
2. Click "Calculate": Press the button to get your results.
3. Review Your Retirement Details: The tool will show your Full Retirement Age (FRA) and the approximate reduction or increase in benefits for claiming early or delaying.

Your Full Retirement Age (FRA)—the age at which you are entitled to 100% of your Social Security benefits—is determined by the year you were born. The age has gradually increased by law from 65 to 67. Our calculator uses the official Social Security Administration (SSA) rules to pinpoint your exact FRA. Knowing this date is the first and most critical step in making a smart claiming decision.

This chart from the SSA shows how the FRA changes based on your birth year.

• Estimate Your Benefits: Your benefit amount is based on your lifetime earnings. Create an account on the official SSA website to get a personalized estimate.
• Consider Delaying: If you are in good health and have other sources of income, delaying your benefits until age 70 will maximize your monthly payout for the rest of your life. This provides valuable longevity insurance.
• Coordinate with Your Spouse: If you are married, there are many strategies for coordinating benefits to maximize your combined lifetime income. Consider consulting a financial advisor.
• Understand the Earnings Test: If you claim benefits early and continue to work, your benefits may be temporarily reduced if your earnings exceed a certain limit.
• Read More: For more decade-specific tips, check out our guide to retirement planning.