Fact Sheet: The Social Security Retirement Age

Alison M. Shelton
Analyst in Income Security

Two important ages may affect a worker’s plans to claim Social Security retired-worker benefits. Workers may claim full Social Security benefits at the full retirement age (FRA), which is rising gradually to age 67 for workers who were born in 1960 and later. Retired workers may claim benefits as early as age 62, which is known as the early eligibility age (EEA). Social Security benefits are reduced, however, for every month that retired worker benefits are claimed before the FRA.


Date of Report: January 3, 2012
Number of Pages: 8
Order Number: R41962
Price: $19.95

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