Retirement rules are changing from 2025: Know the new age of Social Security and its complete information
It has long been believed in America that 65 years of age is the ideal age for retirement. People think that as soon as 65 is completed, it is time to rest. But now this thinking is changing.
There is going to be an important change in the Social Security rules from the year 2025. The actual age of full pension after being reached for those born in 1959 has now been fixed at 66 years and 10 months. For those born in the year 1960 onward, this age has been fixed at 67 years.
Although this may seem like a minor change, it can greatly influence your retirement planning. If you want to retire early or do want to depend on Social Security cash, then you will have to make your strategy according to these new conditions.
What has changed in Social Security?
Now if a person starts taking the benefit of Social Security at the age of 62, then he will have to face a reduction of 29 to 30 percent in the monthly amount.
For example, if your entire pension is $1,000 and you apply at the age of 62, then you will get only about $700 every month.
In contrast, if a person does not claim Social Security even after retirement and waits till the age of 70, then he can get an additional benefit of about 8 percent every year. That is, at the age of 70, you can get about 32 percent more monthly payment than at the age of 67.
This makes it clear that by planning at the right time, you can make the last years of your life more self-reliant and comfortable.
Want to retire early but do not get full pension? So what to do?
Today many people want to retire from their job at the age of 62 or 63. But they hold back due to the fear of getting less payment from Social Security. There are some strategies that can help you move towards retirement even without a full-time job.
Strategy 1 – Working partially
If you don’t want to retire but full-time work seems too heavy, you can ask your office to work only three or four days a week. This way you will be able to pay essential expenses such as medical insurance, grocery and electricity-water bills and your savings will not be strained.
Strategy 2 – Creating a cash reserve
In the time between retirement and getting full social security, at least 18 to 24 months’ worth of money should be saved in advance to meet expenses. Keep this money in an account that gives good interest – such as a high yield savings account or a money market account. This will prevent you from having to sell your invested amount when the stock market falls.
Strategy 3 – Monetize extra space
If you have an empty room in your house or parking space lying unused, renting it out can earn you $700 to $1,000 per month.
Parking spaces in busy areas are also affordable – $150 to $300.
Strategy 4 – Part-time jobs with benefits
Some big companies, such as Costco, Home Depot and Trader Joe’s, offer part-time jobs that range from 20 to 28 hours a day that include health insurance and other perks.
This is a great option if you want to keep your income and insurance while working into retirement age.
Smart strategies for taxes and withdrawals
If you’re retiring before your full retirement age, here are some things to keep in mind when withdrawing money to avoid unnecessary taxes.
Withdraw from taxable accounts first
It’s better to withdraw money from tax-free retirement accounts, such as a 401(k) or IRA, rather than from accounts that have already been taxed. This will allow your retirement savings to accrue interest and allow you to have a larger pension amount.
Use a Roth IRA
Money invested in a Roth IRA can be withdrawn at any age without taxes and without penalty. However, only the money you deposited can be withdrawn, not the earnings you earned.
Keep your income low
If you retire early and have a low total income, you may be able to get subsidized health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. This can save you thousands of dollars a year.
Side income options
Extra income streams such as online tutoring, pet sitting, or selling homemade items can fetch profits. Online tutoring can pay up to $30 to $50 per hour, in addition to your experience.
Does it mean increase in retirement age even be there in the future?
Full retirement age stands at 67 today, but policymakers are now looking at raising it to 68 or 69.
According to one proposal, the retirement age can be gradually increased to 69 years between 2026 and 2033. This will affect people currently aged 30 to 55 years.
This is being done because the trust fund of Social Security may be exhausted by 2034, and after that the pension received will not be available in full, but will remain only 81 percent.
Some suggestions to deal with this crisis include:
- Increasing the retirement age
- Increasing the payroll tax
Options such as are being considered. But these changes may cause more problems for those who do heavy work or who are relatively young.
How to create a flexible retirement plan
In today’s times, retirement planning requires more thought than ever before. It’s important to plan your retirement plan carefully.
- Create a ‘My Social Security’ account to see the estimated amount of your Social Security
- Use the retirement age calculator to see how much you’ll receive at what age
- Make sure to include cash reserves, part-time earnings, and tax planning in your plan
With this strategy, you can cope with any changes that may come your way – whether your age increases or your payouts decrease.
Conclusion
Retirement should be a personal decision – not something that the government says you can retire at any time. If you do this, you’ll touch new heights of living life to the fullest post-retirement. So, it would be best to keep your options flexible and cut off dull expenditures. Review your retirement plan every year. You will enjoy an easier life if you were to prepare well, no matter what the future holds for you.
Gaurav Tagore is a forward-thinking Director known for his impactful work in the education media space. He leads content that helps students make informed academic and career decisions while offering a window into real campus experiences. With a strong focus on clarity and relevance, Gaurav continues to be a trusted voice for student communities across the country.