Retiring Soon? Social Security Age Changes in 2025 Could Affect Your Payments

• Author: Leo Olson
• Posted: 2025-05-21

In 2025, the Social Security Administration (SSA) continues its phased adjustment of the Full Retirement Age (FRA), directly impacting individuals born in 1959.

Understanding Full Retirement Age (FRA)

The FRA is the age at which you can claim 100% of your Social Security retirement benefits.

While you can begin receiving benefits as early as age 62, doing so before reaching your FRA results in a permanent reduction in monthly payments.

For those born in 1959, the FRA is now set at 66 years and 10 months.

This means that if you turn 66 in 2025, you must wait an additional 10 months to receive full benefits.

Claiming benefits earlier could reduce your monthly payments by up to 29.17%. 

Why the Change?

The gradual increase in FRA reflects the nation's response to longer life expectancies and the need to ensure the financial sustainability of the Social Security program.

By adjusting the retirement age, the SSA aims to balance the ratio of working individuals to retirees, thereby maintaining the program's solvency. 

Planning Your Retirement

It's crucial to consider how these changes affect your retirement planning:

• Early Retirement: Starting benefits at age 62 results in reduced monthly payments.

• Full Retirement: Waiting until your FRA ensures full benefits.

• Delayed Retirement: Postponing benefits past your FRA can increase your monthly payments by up to 8% annually until age 70.

Read more: The $100,000 Retirement Mistake: Why Delaying Social Security Can Lead to Bigger Benefits

Utilize the SSA's online tools, such as the Retirement Age Calculator, to determine your specific FRA and plan accordingly.


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