T he Social Security Administration has announced significant changes to the retirement age, which will take effect starting in 2026. The full retirement age, which has been gradu

The Social Security trust fund will become unable to pay scheduled benefits to retirees and the disabled as soon as 2034, new projections show — one year earlier than last year’s estimates.

On a basic level, the monthly Social Security benefit you're entitled to in retirement is based on your earnings history -- specifically, the amount of money you made during your 35 highest-paid years in the labor force. From there, the age you choose to claim benefits at will either raise those monthly payments, shrink them, or leave them as is.