Assuming FRA of 67. Filing early permanently reduces your benefit; filing after FRA increases it up to age 70 for individual benefits only.
Annual percentages by filing age
Filing age
Individual benefit (% of PIA)
Spousal benefit (% of higher earner's FRA benefit)
Survivor benefit (% of deceased's PIA)
60
N/A
N/A
71.50%
61
N/A
N/A
75.58%
62
70.00%
65.00%
79.65%
63
75.00%
70.00%
83.72%
64
80.00%
75.00%
87.79%
65
86.67%
83.33%
91.86%
66
93.33%
91.67%
95.93%
67 (FRA)
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
68
108.00%
100.00%
100.00%
69
116.00%
100.00%
100.00%
70
124.00%
100.00%
100.00%
Individual benefit — monthly reduction/increase
− 5/9 of 1%
36-month period before FRA
− 5/12 of 1%
More than 36 months before FRA
+ 2/3 of 1%
FRA to age 70 (delayed credits)
Spousal benefit — monthly reduction
− 25/36 of 1%
36-month period before FRA
− 5/12 of 1%
More than 36 months before FRA
No increase
Beyond full retirement age
Survivor benefit — monthly reduction
28.5% is the maximum reduction regardless of full retirement age. To find the monthly reduction rate, divide 28.5% by the number of months from age 60 to the survivor's full retirement age.
For workers who first become eligible in 2026 (by attaining age 62, becoming disabled, or dying before age 62). Your PIA (primary insurance amount) is your full retirement age benefit.
90% of the first $1,286 of average indexed monthly earnings (AIME)
+ 32% of AIME over $1,286 through $7,749
+ 15% of AIME over $7,749
= Primary Insurance Amount (PIA)
For the family of a worker who becomes age 62 or dies in 2026 before attaining age 62, total benefits payable will not exceed:
150% of the first $1,643 of the worker's PIA
+ 272% of PIA over $1,643 through $2,371
+ 134% of PIA over $2,371 through $3,093
+ 175% of PIA over $3,093
½ of higher earner's FRA benefit
− lower earner's own FRA benefit
= Spousal top-off amount (then adjusted for the lower earner's filing age)
If the lower earner's own benefit exceeds 50% of the higher earner's FRA benefit, no spousal top-off is payable. The lower earner simply receives their own benefit.
Medicare Premiums & IRMAA Surcharge — 2026 ↑ Back to top
Standard Part B premium: $202.90/month per person. IRMAA surcharges are based on your 2024 MAGI (two-year lookback) and are added per person, per month.
Available between FRA and age 70. During suspension you earn delayed retirement credits. However, benefits to anyone else collecting on your work history — except divorced spouses — will also be suspended. You cannot collect benefits on someone else's record during suspension.
Withdrawal of application (SSA-521) Do-over form
Allows you to rescind your election and claim higher benefits later. Requirements:
Must be submitted within 12 months of starting benefits
All benefits received must be repaid (including family benefits)
Can only be done once in your lifetime
Survivor Benefits — How the Benefit Amount Is Determined ↑ Back to top
Deceased DID NOT file for benefits
→
Died before full retirement age
→
Deceased's full retirement age benefit, adjusted for the survivor's filing age
→
Died after full retirement age
→
The benefit the deceased would have received on the day of death, adjusted for the survivor's filing age
Deceased DID file for benefits
→
Filed before full retirement age
→
The higher of: the actual benefit the deceased was receiving or 82.5% of the deceased's FRA benefit — adjusted for the survivor's filing age
→
Filed on or after full retirement age
→
The benefit amount the deceased was receiving at death, adjusted for the survivor's filing age
This guide is for general informational purposes only and reflects 2026 figures. It does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Rules and figures are subject to change. Always consult with qualified financial, tax, and legal professionals before making decisions.