What Is Full Retirement Age if I Was Born in 1957?

Social Security retirement benefits provide financial support, replacing a portion of pre-retirement income. Understanding how these benefits work, particularly when they can be claimed, is important for financial planning. The age you begin receiving payments significantly impacts your monthly income.

Understanding Full Retirement Age

Full Retirement Age (FRA) is a specific age set by the Social Security Administration (SSA) when an individual becomes eligible to receive 100% of their Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). The PIA represents the monthly benefit calculated based on an individual’s earnings history. Reaching FRA determines the standard benefit amount before any adjustments for claiming early or delaying benefits.

FRA is not a universal age; it varies depending on an individual’s birth year. This adjustment accounts for increased life expectancies and helps maintain the long-term solvency of the Social Security program. Knowing your specific FRA influences decisions about when to start claiming benefits, as claiming at a different age results in a modified monthly payment.

Full Retirement Age for Individuals Born in 1957

For individuals born in 1957, the Full Retirement Age is 66 years and 6 months. This age allows them to begin receiving their full, unreduced Social Security retirement benefit. The incremental increase in FRA reflects changes implemented by the Social Security Amendments of 1983.

The SSA gradually increased the FRA from 65 to 67 years for those born between 1943 and 1959. For instance, individuals born in 1955 have an FRA of 66 years and 2 months, while those born in 1959 have an FRA of 66 years and 10 months. This structured increase helps the system adapt to demographic shifts. For someone born in 1957, reaching 66 years and 6 months means they qualify for 100% of their Primary Insurance Amount.

Claiming Social Security Benefits Around Your Full Retirement Age

The age you choose to start receiving Social Security benefits significantly impacts your monthly payment amount. While Full Retirement Age (FRA) is when you receive 100% of your earned benefit, you have options to claim earlier or later. Each choice comes with specific financial adjustments that are permanently applied to your monthly payments.

Individuals can begin claiming Social Security benefits as early as age 62. However, choosing to receive benefits before your FRA results in a permanent reduction in your monthly payment. For someone born in 1957 with an FRA of 66 years and 6 months, claiming at age 62 would result in a permanent reduction of approximately 27.5%. This reduction is calculated based on five-ninths of one percent for each of the first 36 months claimed early, and five-twelfths of one percent for each additional month before FRA.

Conversely, delaying the start of your benefits past your FRA can increase your monthly payment. This increase comes from Delayed Retirement Credits (DRCs), which are applied for each month you postpone claiming benefits, up to age 70. For those born in 1943 or later, including individuals born in 1957, these credits increase your monthly benefit by 8% for each full year you delay, or two-thirds of one percent per month.

It is also important to consider the Social Security earnings test if you decide to work while claiming benefits before your FRA. If you are under your FRA for the entire year and your earnings exceed a certain limit, a portion of your benefits may be temporarily withheld. For instance, in 2025, if you are under FRA for the entire year, $1 in benefits is deducted for every $2 earned above $23,400. In the year you reach your FRA, a different limit applies, where $1 is deducted for every $3 earned above $62,160 in 2025, but only for earnings prior to the month you reach your FRA. Once you reach your Full Retirement Age, the earnings test no longer applies, and you can earn any amount without your Social Security benefits being reduced.