For the first time since Social Security began nearly 90 years ago, Americans will soon need to hit age 67 to claim full benefits — a historic milestone that’s changing the retirement game for millions.
Starting in 2026, anyone born in 1960 or later will have to wait until age 67 to receive 100% of their promised Social Security checks. When President Franklin D. Roosevelt launched the program in 1935, the full retirement age was 65; however, back then, most Americans didn’t live past 61. Fast forward to today, and people are living well into their 80s, drawing benefits far longer than the system was ever built to handle.
This shift isn’t sudden. It goes back to a sweeping reform signed by President Ronald Reagan in 1983, which set in motion the gradual hike to today’s new age threshold. The goal: stretch a program that once had 42 workers supporting every retiree. Now, just 2.7 workers shoulder each retiree’s check — a ratio that’s fueling Social Security’s funding crisis.
Without action from Congress, experts warn retirees could face across-the-board benefit cuts of 20% or more within a decade. It’s a looming reality forcing many to rethink when — and if — they can afford to stop working.
Choosing when to claim Social Security isn’t just about money anymore. Health, family history, job satisfaction, and savings all factor in. But one thing’s clear: with the full retirement age now officially hitting 67, more Americans will shoulder the burden of funding their golden years themselves — unless lawmakers step in to shore up this aging safety net.
