The Social Security full retirement age (FRA) has been slowly changing for decades.
In 2025, more people will see new rules for when they can claim full Social Security benefits.
These changes are part of a long-term plan to adjust for longer lifespans and protect the system’s finances.
Below you’ll find the most important upcoming changes, who is affected, and how planning may need to shift.
What is the new full retirement age in 2025?
Starting in 2025, people born in 1959 will reach a full retirement age of 66 years and 10 months. For those born in 1960 or later, the FRA is 67 years.
This shift is part of a phase-in schedule from earlier reforms that raised the FRA gradually from 65 to 67.
Who is impacted by this change in 2025?
If you were born in 1959, you are one of the first groups affected: your full benefits depend on reaching age 66 years and 10 months.
If you were born in 1960 or later, your full retirement age is 67, so your claiming decisions must conform to that standard.
People born earlier than 1959 are mostly unaffected by the 2025 shift—their FRA is already determined by earlier steps in the schedule.
Why is SSA increasing the retirement age?
The 1983 Social Security amendments set a schedule to raise the FRA gradually to account for longer life expectancy and to maintain the solvency of the system.
By delaying the age at which full benefits are paid, the program reduces long-term payout pressures.
Also, by linking FRA to longevity trends, the system better balances lifetime benefits with contributions.
How does this affect benefit amounts if I claim early or delay?
You can still begin claiming Social Security as early as age 62, but doing so means your monthly benefit is permanently reduced compared to waiting until FRA.
If you delay past FRA (up to age 70), your benefit increases by delayed retirement credits.
Because FRA is shifting, how much you gain or lose by early or delayed claiming changes slightly for those born in affected years.
For example, someone whose FRA is 66 years and 10 months must wait longer before the “full benefit” kicks in; delaying beyond that gives more months of credit.
When do the new rules take effect in 2025?
The change for those born in 1959 becomes relevant when they near or reach age 66 and 10 months in 2025.
For those born in 1960 or later, the new FRA of 67 applies going forward.
No retroactive benefit changes occur for those already past their FRA under older rules.
What are the limits and maximum benefits in 2025 under the new rules?
In 2025, if you retire at full retirement age, the maximum Social Security benefit is $4,018.
If you retire at age 62 in 2025, the highest possible benefit is $2,831. If you delay until age 70, the top benefit could reach $5,108.
The exact amounts depend on your income history, claiming age, and any delayed credits.
How should people plan ahead with the new retirement age?
If your birth year is 1959 or 1960, factor in that your FRA is higher than for earlier cohorts.
Use SSA’s calculators (or your My Social Security account) to run scenarios for claiming at 62, at your FRA, or delaying to 70.
Be aware that reducing benefits early becomes slightly more costly if your FRA is later.
Also check your earnings history, correct any mistakes, and estimate how delayed retirement credits will affect your benefit.
If necessary, consider working longer or saving more to compensate for benefit shifts.
