Full retirement age if you were born in 1956
If you were born in 1956, your full retirement age is 66 and 4 months. For example, if you were born in June 1956, you reach it in October 2022.
Last updated: . Education, not financial advice.
The month you reach full retirement age
Your full retirement age is the same for every birth month in 1956, but the date you reach it moves with your birthday. This table assumes a birth after the 2nd of the month.
| Born in | Reach full retirement age in |
|---|---|
| January | May 2022 |
| February | June 2022 |
| March | July 2022 |
| April | August 2022 |
| May | September 2022 |
| June | October 2022 |
| July | November 2022 |
| August | December 2022 |
| September | January 2023 |
| October | February 2023 |
| November | March 2023 |
| December | April 2023 |
If you were born on January 1, 1956, Social Security treats you as born in 1955, and your full retirement age is 66 and 2 months.
Source: Full retirement age and reduction by claiming age (opens in a new tab)
What that means for your check
Starting at 62 is 52 months before full retirement age, which cuts the check by 26.67%. Waiting until 70 adds delayed credits. These amounts use a full benefit of $2,000.
| Start at | Monthly check | Share of full benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Age 62 | $1,466 | 73.33% |
| Full retirement age (66 and 4 months) | $2,000 | 100% |
| Age 70 | $2,586 | 129.33% |
Source: Full retirement age and reduction by claiming age (opens in a new tab), Delayed retirement credits (opens in a new tab), Early or late retirement calculator (opens in a new tab)
Break-even for your birth year
On a $2,000 full benefit, starting at 66 and 4 months instead of 62 breaks even at age 78 and 3 months. For someone born in June 1956, that is September 2034. Starting at 70 instead of 66 and 4 months breaks even at age 82 and 7 months, which is January 2039 for the same person.
Source: Early or late retirement calculator (opens in a new tab), Delayed retirement credits (opens in a new tab)
Survivor benefits
If you are a surviving spouse, your survivor full retirement age is 66, which is different from your own (66 and 4 months). You can start a survivor benefit as early as 60.
Source: Survivor benefits by age (opens in a new tab)
Working before full retirement age
You reach full retirement age in 2022 or 2023, so the earnings limit for that year is not published yet. Social Security announces it each October. Until you reach full retirement age, the lower limit applies and $1 is held back for every $2 over it. See the earnings test calculator.
Source: Earnings limits while you work (opens in a new tab), Retirement earnings test exempt amounts (opens in a new tab)
Dates to know
- You turn 62 in 2018. Your first month of benefits is the month you turn 62 if you were born on the 1st or 2nd, and the month after for other birth days.
- You turn 65 in 2021, the age to sign up for Medicare. See Medicare enrollment (opens in a new tab).
- You turn 70 in 2026. Delayed credits stop then.
Source: Full retirement age and reduction by claiming age (opens in a new tab), Delayed retirement credits (opens in a new tab)
Common questions
What is my full retirement age if I was born on January 1, 1956?
Social Security counts a January 1 birth as the year before, so yours is 66 and 2 months.
Can I start Social Security at 62 if I was born in 1956?
Yes, from 2018. Your check is $1,466 instead of $2,000 on a $2,000 full benefit, which is 73.33%.
Sources
- Full retirement age and reduction by claiming age (opens in a new tab)
- Survivor benefits by age (opens in a new tab)
- Delayed retirement credits (opens in a new tab)
- Retirement earnings test exempt amounts (opens in a new tab)
- Medicare enrollment (opens in a new tab)
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Wait or Claim is independent. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to the Social Security Administration or any government agency. We give education, not financial, tax or legal advice. Check your own facts with Social Security (ssa.gov) before you file.