The Kentucky Division of Social Security
State Social Security Administrator for Kentucky's Public Employers and Employees

Social Security Retirement Age

Full Retirement Age

The usual retirement age for people retiring now is age 65. Social Security calls this "full retirement age,'' and the benefit amount that is payable is considered the full retirement benefit. Because of longer life expectancies, the full retirement age will be increased in gradual steps until it reaches age 67. This change starts in the year 2003, and it affects people born in 1938 and later. View the chart below to see your full retirement age.

Early Retirement

You can start your Social Security benefits as early as age 62, but the benefit amount you receive will be less than your full retirement benefit. If you take early retirement, your benefits will be permanently reduced based on the number of months you will receive checks before you reach full retirement age. If your full retirement age is 65, the reduction for starting your Social Security at age 62 is about 20 percent; at age 63, it is about 13 and 1/3 percent; and at age 64, it is about 6 and 2/3 percent.

Questions??
Contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) toll free at 1-800/772-1213, via the web at http://www.ssa.gov or visit a local SSA office. Click here for a list of Kentucky SSA offices.