Are You Ready to File for Social Security?

Deciding when to file for Social Security is one of the most consequential financial moves you’ll make. You’re locking in a lifetime income stream that’s adjusted for inflation and affected by taxes. With full retirement age now 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later, and a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment in effect for 2026, it pays to check your readiness before you file.

At a glance

67

Full retirement age if born in 1960 or later

−30%

Permanent reduction if you file at 62

+2.8%

Cost-of-living adjustment for 2026

Deciding when to file for Social Security is one of the most consequential financial moves you’ll make. You’re locking in a lifetime income stream that’s adjusted for inflation and affected by taxes. With full retirement age now 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later, and a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment in effect for 2026, it pays to check your readiness before you file.

At a glance

67

Full retirement age if born in 1960 or later

−30%

Permanent reduction if you file at 62

+2.8%

Cost-of-living adjustment for 2026

Deciding when to file for Social Security is one of the most consequential financial moves you’ll make. You’re locking in a lifetime income stream that’s adjusted for inflation and affected by taxes. With full retirement age now 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later, and a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment in effect for 2026, it pays to check your readiness before you file.

At a glance

67

Full retirement age if born in 1960 or later

−30%

Permanent reduction if you file at 62

+2.8%

Cost-of-living adjustment for 2026

Readiness check

Questions To Answer Before You File

Check each one you can answer with confidence. The ones you can’t are where to focus.

Readiness check

Questions To Answer Before You File

Check each one you can answer with confidence. The ones you can’t are where to focus.

Readiness check

Questions To Answer Before You File

Check each one you can answer with confidence. The ones you can’t are where to focus.

What's new in 2026

2026 Changes That Affect Your Math

What's new in 2026

2026 Changes That Affect Your Math

What's new in 2026

2026 Changes That Affect Your Math

Cost-of-living adjustment

+2.8%

Benefits rose 2.8% in January 2026.

Earnings test · under FRA

$24,480

$1 withheld for every $2 you earn above this.

Earnings test · year you reach FRA

$65,160

$1 withheld for every $3 above it.

Senior deduction

$6,000

$12,000 for a married couple who both qualify, 2025–2028, on top of the standard deduction.

Cost-of-living adjustment

+2.8%

Benefits rose 2.8% in January 2026.

Earnings test · under FRA

$24,480

$1 withheld for every $2 you earn above this.

Earnings test · year you reach FRA

$65,160

$1 withheld for every $3 above it.

Senior deduction

$6,000

$12,000 for a married couple who both qualify, 2025–2028, on top of the standard deduction.

Cost-of-living adjustment

+2.8%

Benefits rose 2.8% in January 2026.

Earnings test · under FRA

$24,480

$1 withheld for every $2 you earn above this.

Earnings test · year you reach FRA

$65,160

$1 withheld for every $3 above it.

Senior deduction

$6,000

$12,000 for a married couple who both qualify, 2025–2028, on top of the standard deduction.

Senior deduction: under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, people 65 and older can deduct an extra $6,000 ($12,000 for a married couple who both qualify) on top of the standard deduction for 2025 through 2028, with lower amounts at higher incomes.
Medicare: the standard Part B premium is $202.90 a month in 2026 and is usually deducted from your Social Security check, so factor it into your take-home amount.

Senior deduction: under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, people 65 and older can deduct an extra $6,000 ($12,000 for a married couple who both qualify) on top of the standard deduction for 2025 through 2028, with lower amounts at higher incomes.
Medicare: the standard Part B premium is $202.90 a month in 2026 and is usually deducted from your Social Security check, so factor it into your take-home amount.

Senior deduction: under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, people 65 and older can deduct an extra $6,000 ($12,000 for a married couple who both qualify) on top of the standard deduction for 2025 through 2028, with lower amounts at higher incomes.
Medicare: the standard Part B premium is $202.90 a month in 2026 and is usually deducted from your Social Security check, so factor it into your take-home amount.

One-time option

Know Your Do-Over Window

One-time option

Know Your Do-Over Window

One-time option

Know Your Do-Over Window

12-month window

Once benefits start, you generally have only 12 months to withdraw your application, and you must repay everything you’ve received to reset your future benefit. You can only do this once.

12-month window

Once benefits start, you generally have only 12 months to withdraw your application, and you must repay everything you’ve received to reset your future benefit. You can only do this once.

12-month window

Once benefits start, you generally have only 12 months to withdraw your application, and you must repay everything you’ve received to reset your future benefit. You can only do this once.

Before you file

Why A Review Matters

Your claiming age shapes your whole tax and withdrawal strategy. Coordinating Social Security with your other assets can help reduce the tax torpedo and protect your spouse’s survivor benefit. If you can’t confidently answer several of the questions above, it’s worth reviewing your plan before you file.

Before you file

Why A Review Matters

Your claiming age shapes your whole tax and withdrawal strategy. Coordinating Social Security with your other assets can help reduce the tax torpedo and protect your spouse’s survivor benefit. If you can’t confidently answer several of the questions above, it’s worth reviewing your plan before you file.

Before you file

Why A Review Matters

Your claiming age shapes your whole tax and withdrawal strategy. Coordinating Social Security with your other assets can help reduce the tax torpedo and protect your spouse’s survivor benefit. If you can’t confidently answer several of the questions above, it’s worth reviewing your plan before you file.

Free download

Download the free Social Security readiness checklist

Take these questions with you, or work through them with your spouse before you file.

Download the checklist

Free download

Download the free Social Security readiness checklist

Download the checklist

Free download

Download the free Social Security readiness checklist

Take these questions with you, or work through them with your spouse before you file.

Download the checklist

This material is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to provide specific legal or tax advice. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions about your personal situation. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration, Medicare or any U.S. government agency. For information about your situation, contact the Social Security Administration at ssa.gov.