Say goodbye to retiring at 65: Social Security sets a new full retirement age for 2026

The Social Security Administration confirms that January 1, 2026 will mark the final stop on the retirement‑age roller coaster, freezing the full retirement age at 67 and closing an era of incremental hikes.

Starting in 2026, American workers born in 1960 or later will need to reach age 67 to receive 100 percent of their Social Security benefit. The move caps a gradual increase approved in 1983 to shore up program finances. Beneficiaries, recipients—whatever you call them—finally have a fixed target date.

What the new 67‑year full retirement age means for future retirees

The full retirement age (FRA) determines when you can leave the workforce without a penalty. Today it sits at 66 years 10 months for those born in 1959, but on the first day of 2026 it jumps to 67 and, for the first time in four decades, stops rising. That single‑month difference sounds small, yet it translates into a lifetime of slightly larger checks for those who wait. Wondering whether holding on makes sense for you? Keep reading.

Yes, you can claim as early as 62, but the trade‑off is a permanent 30 percent cut. That discount never goes away, even after you blow out the candles at 67. Still, early filing can be a lifeline for workers facing layoffs or health issues. Ask yourself: can your budget handle leaner payments, or would a side hustle bridge the gap?

Continuing to work until age seventy can unlock larger monthly Social Security checks

Deferring benefits beyond FRA adds delayed‑retirement credits of about 8 percent per year, maxing out at age 70. Keep punching the clock and the SSA rewards you with a boost that lasts for life. For high earners in good health, those extra years can mean thousands more annually.

Here you have the timeline of the four‑decade climb ending with the 2026 full retirement age and a quick fact to guide your strategy:

• FRA stays at 67 after 2026—no automatic increases.
• Early filing at 62 slices benefits by roughly 30 percent.
• Waiting until 70 raises benefits by up to 24 percent over FRA amounts.
• You may keep working and still collect, but the earnings test can withhold some payments before FRA.

After 2026, officials say no further hikes are scheduled. Could Congress revisit the question? Of course—nothing in Washington is ever truly set in stone—but for now the age cap is firm.