Retirement age in the US (2026): Social Security

Last reviewed: 9 October 2026

In short: The retirement age for Social Security is 67 for people who reach age 62 after 2021, and was phased up from 66 in two-month steps for those reaching 62 from 2017 to 2021. Old-age benefits can be claimed from age 62.

RuleWhat applies
Statutory pension age in 2026Statutory old-age pension67 years for people who attain age 62 after 31 December 2021. Those who attained 62 in 2021 reach retirement age at 66 years and 10 months. [1]
Highest age already set in law or official publicationStatutory old-age pension67 years, for people who attain age 62 after 31 December 2021. [1]
Scheduled path of the ageStatutory old-age pensionReaching age 62 in 2017: 66 years and 2 months; 2018: 66 years and 4 months; 2019: 66 years and 6 months; 2020: 66 years and 8 months; 2021: 66 years and 10 months. After 2021: 67 years. Reaching 62 from 2005 to 2016: 66 years. [1]
Early retirement (national rule)Statutory old-age pensionOld-age benefits can be claimed from age 62 (early retirement age), before retirement age; the amount is subject to the adjustments of section 402(q). Age 60 for widow's and widower's benefits. [2]

Notes

  • Read in the 2024 edition of the United States Code; later amendments were not checked. Retirement age is defined by the year in which the person attains age 62.

Sources

  1. U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo), United States Code: 42 U.S.C. § 416 - Additional definitions (United States Code, 2024 Edition) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
  2. U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo), United States Code: 42 U.S.C. § 402 - Old-age and survivors insurance benefit payments (United States Code, 2024 Edition) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.