Full retirement age in 2026
Unfortunately, this year you will have to wait a little bit longer to reach full retirement age (FRA). This is one of the Social Security changes and directly impacts seniors. Right now, FRA steadily increases for people born between 1955 and 1960, reaching 67 for those born in 1960 or after.
So, to make things clear, in 2026, FRA is 67 years for those born in 1960 or later.
Now, the big question is how this one of the Social Security changes will impact your benefits. This is a great question, and we have the answer to it right here.
If you retire at 62, your monthly payments will be lowered. The decrease is determined as 5/9 of 1% every month during the first 36 months prior to FRA. Then 5/12 of 1% each month for any extra months beyond 36.
The Social Security earnings test
In case you decide that you still want to work while you are receiving social security benefits, you have to be aware that your earnings could temporarily reduce your monthly payment. This is one of the new social security changes, and it is called the Social Security Earnings Test. This will apply every year until you reach your full retirement age (FRA).
But before your benefits are affected by this change, you still have the chance to earn more. Let’s say you are below FRA. When this is the case, the Social Security Administration will withhold $1 in benefits for every $2 you earn over $24,480 per year in 2026. The previous limit of $23,400 applies for 2025.
Retirees still working often review tax-efficient financial strategies such as annuity planning and trust management to protect income.
Keep your Social Security card protected: 6 Pack Social Security Card Holder
You should also read: Never Retire in These 5 States!
I am a retired teacher. How will I know if I get the SSA benefits ? I earned my 40 before I went in to teaching.
Why is there numerous sites that want us to listen to a video that goes on and on forever and says literally the same thing. Just give us the gimmick and we will buy or not. I am forever turned off by the many of such advertisements. I am sure that I have missed something helpful because of all these kinds of advertisements.
Social Security payments are from the money that workers paid into it. The government should not have a say as to it leaving, how it is taxed, or any other changes. If the government needs money, have the Governors, Senators, and Representatives start looking at the old commitments that each state has been collecting money on and find out if it is legitimate. So many things have been kept on the books and are not even in existence any more. How about working on finding the phony line items in the budget, cleaning up the books, and leave the retired worker social security alone?
So when the Biden Administration lied about our inflation rate, our COLA stays low…
Everything doubled and tripled in price over Trump 45… Thanks Joe… In fact thanks for all these things… More stupid stuff Trump needs to fix… Good news is we have at least 4 affordable years coming now…
when will no tax on ss go into effect!!