When Can I Retire If I Was Born in September 1956?

If you were born in September 1956, your full retirement age is 66 years and four months, which means you could retire in January 2023.

Understanding your Full Retirement Age (FRA) is crucial for planning when you can claim your Social Security benefits without reduction. For individuals born in 1956, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has set specific guidelines for when you reach this milestone.

Understanding Your Full Retirement Age

The concept of a "full retirement age" was established to help individuals determine the age at which they are eligible to receive 100% of their earned Social Security benefits. Claiming benefits before your FRA can result in a permanent reduction, while delaying benefits past your FRA (up to age 70) can lead to an increase in your monthly payment.

For those born in 1956, the designated full retirement age is 66 years and four months. This specific age applies to everyone born within that calendar year, regardless of their birth month.

Calculating Your Retirement Date

To pinpoint your exact full retirement month, we can apply the 66 years and four months to your birth month:

• Birth Month: September 1956
• Add 66 Years: September 2022
• Add 4 Months:
  • October 2022 (1 month)
  • November 2022 (2 months)
  • December 2022 (3 months)
  • January 2023 (4 months)

This calculation shows that you reached your full retirement age in January 2023.

Full Retirement Age for Those Born in 1956

The table below illustrates the breakdown of how the Full Retirement Age increases incrementally for those born between 1943 and 1960 or later. This ensures a clear understanding of the specific age relevant to your birth year.

Knowing your precise full retirement age allows you to make informed decisions about when to claim your Social Security benefits, ensuring you maximize your retirement income.