Full retirement age if you were born in 1959
If you were born in 1959, your full retirement age is 66 and 10 months. For example, if you were born in June 1959, you reach it in April 2026.
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 1959, 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 | November 2025 |
| February | December 2025 |
| March | January 2026 |
| April | February 2026 |
| May | March 2026 |
| June | April 2026 |
| July | May 2026 |
| August | June 2026 |
| September | July 2026 |
| October | August 2026 |
| November | September 2026 |
| December | October 2026 |
If you were born on January 1, 1959, Social Security treats you as born in 1958, and your full retirement age is 66 and 8 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 58 months before full retirement age, which cuts the check by 29.17%. 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 | $1,416 | 70.83% |
| Full retirement age (66 and 10 months) | $2,000 | 100% |
| Age 70 | $2,506 | 125.33% |
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 10 months instead of 62 breaks even at age 78 and 7 months. For someone born in June 1959, that is January 2038. Starting at 70 instead of 66 and 10 months breaks even at age 82 and 7 months, which is January 2042 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 and 6 months, which is different from your own (66 and 10 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
In 2026, the limit for the year you reach full retirement age is $65,160. Only earnings before the month you reach full retirement age count, and $1 is held back for every $3 over the limit.
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 2021. 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 2024, the age to sign up for Medicare. See Medicare enrollment (opens in a new tab).
- You turn 70 in 2029. 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, 1959?
Social Security counts a January 1 birth as the year before, so yours is 66 and 8 months.
Can I start Social Security at 62 if I was born in 1959?
Yes, from 2021. Your check is $1,416 instead of $2,000 on a $2,000 full benefit, which is 70.83%.
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.