US Trends

what is the age of retirement

The “age of retirement” isn’t one fixed number; it depends on what you mean (stopping work vs. getting full government benefits) and which country you’re in. In the US in 2026, the key benchmark is that the full Social Security retirement age is now 67 for people born in 1960 or later, though many people actually stop working earlier, around 62.

What “retirement age” usually means

When people ask “what is the age of retirement,” they usually mix up three related but different ideas:

  • The age people actually stop working in real life.
  • The age you can first claim a government pension (like Social Security).
  • The age you get the full benefit with no reduction.

In modern practice, these ages are often different, which is why you see conflicting numbers in news, articles, and forum discussions.

Retirement age in the US (2026 snapshot)

For the United States, as of 2026, here’s the core picture:

  • Full Social Security retirement age (FRA) is 67 for everyone born in 1960 or later.
  • It was previously 66 and some months for slightly older cohorts (for example, 66 years 10 months for those born in 1959).
  • You can start claiming Social Security as early as 62 , but your monthly benefit is permanently reduced by roughly 30% compared with waiting until the full retirement age.
  • Surveys and demographic data show the median retirement age in the US is around 62 , meaning half of people retire before 62 and half after, even though many expect to retire at 65.

These changes come from reforms passed in the 1980s, which slowly pushed the full retirement age from 65 up to 67 to help stabilize the Social Security system as people live longer.

Typical “retirement age” in practice

Even with official ages, real life looks different:

  • Many workers leave the labor force earlier than the full retirement age because of health, caregiving, layoffs, or simply by choice if they have savings.
  • Others keep working past 67, either to boost their benefits, maintain income, or for personal fulfillment.
  • On forums where people talk about retirement, you’ll often see a wide range: some retiring around 60 but continuing part-time work, others saying they don’t expect to retire at all in the traditional sense.

This is why “retirement age” is often treated more as a planning target than a strict rule.

Mini FAQ style breakdown

1. What is the “official” retirement age in the US?

  • For full Social Security benefits: 67 if you were born in 1960 or later.

2. What is the earliest age I can retire with Social Security?

  • You can claim from 62 , but with permanent benefit reductions compared with claiming at your full retirement age.

3. What age do people actually retire on average?

  • The US average or median retirement age is about 62.

4. Does the country matter?

  • Yes. Every country sets its own public pension rules, and many have been gradually increasing retirement ages in line with higher life expectancy and budget pressures.

Simple illustrative example

Imagine two workers in the US, both born in 1962:

  • Worker A leaves their job and claims Social Security at 62. They get a smaller monthly benefit, but they start earlier and stop working completely.
  • Worker B keeps working to 67 and only then claims Social Security. They get 100% of their earned benefit but spend five more years in the workforce.

Both are “retired” by everyday language once they stop working, but only Worker B retires at the full retirement age.

Bottom note

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.