Social Security Just Changed AGAIN in 2025 — Here’s How It Affects Your Benefits

Alright, so if you’re thinking about Social Security and retirement, there’s something you should know for 2025: if you were born in 1960 or after, your “full retirement age” is now 67.

Yeah, I know — that might sound like you have to wait longer to get your full benefits, but it’s actually been moving up bit by bit for quite a while now. So it’s not totally out of the blue.

What’s This “Full Retirement Age” Thing Anyway?

Think of full retirement age like the sweet spot where you get your Social Security check in full, with no cuts.

You can start getting benefits earlier, as soon as 62, but your monthly check will be smaller — and smaller for the rest of your life. But if you wait past your full retirement age, your monthly payments actually get bigger, up until age 70.

Who Does This Affect?

If you were born between 1943 and 1954, your full retirement age is still 66. If you were born in the late ’50s, it goes up by a few months each year. But if you’re born in 1960 or later, you’re looking at 67.

So, if you’re hitting your early 60s and were born in 1960 or later, you might need to hold on a little longer if you want your full benefits.

Should You Take Your Benefits Early or Wait?

This is where things get personal, because it really depends on you.

• Taking it early at 62: You can do it, but your monthly check will be noticeably smaller — sometimes by a big chunk, like 30%. So you get less money every month, but you start getting it sooner.

• Waiting it out: If you can hold off until your full retirement age or even wait until 70, your monthly benefits grow. For each year you wait past 67, your monthly check increases by about 8%. That’s a nice bonus if you can afford to wait.

Some Stuff to Think About Before Deciding

• How’s your health? If you’re not feeling so great or have reasons to think you won’t live super long, taking the money sooner might make sense.

• Need cash now? Sometimes life just requires it. If you need the money for bills or emergencies, going early could help.

• Still working? If you’re still on the job, delaying your benefits could actually pay off in the long run and help you avoid penalties if you make over certain limits.

Why Is This Happening?

People are living longer these days — which is great! But it also means Social Security has to adjust so it can keep paying everyone for years to come.

That’s why the full retirement age has been slowly inching up over time.

If you’re born in 1960 or later, your full retirement age is 67 now. That means waiting a little longer if you want the full benefit.

But it’s totally up to you — you can claim earlier for smaller payments, or wait longer for bigger ones. Everyone’s situation is different, so think it through, maybe talk to a financial advisor, or use online calculators to see what fits your life best.