Is Trump Going to Raise the Retirement Age? – SmartAsset

President Donald Trump has not publicly endorsed increasing the Social Security retirement age, but recent remarks from administration officials have raised questions about whether the policy could be considered as part of future reforms. In September 2025, Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano stated that “everything’s being considered” when asked about the possibility of raising the full retirement age, though he later clarified his comments, reducing speculation about near-term changes. The discussion has nevertheless contributed to uncertainty about whether adjustments to the retirement age may emerge in broader conversations about strengthening Social Security’s long-term financial outlook.
Worried about how these potential shifts could affect your financial future? A financial advisor can help you plan for and respond to possible reforms.
The term “retirement age” typically refers to the age at which an individual becomes eligible to receive full Social Security retirement benefits. For most current workers, full retirement age falls between 66 and 67, depending on year of birth. Individuals born in 1960 or later reach full retirement age at 67. Benefits may be claimed as early as age 62, though monthly payments are permanently reduced for those who file before reaching full retirement age.
Delaying benefits beyond full retirement age increases monthly payments through delayed retirement credits. Claiming at age 70 results in the maximum benefit, providing an increase of up to 32% for individuals with a full retirement age of 66 and up to 24% for those with a full retirement age of 67. Benefits do not continue to grow after age 70, so further delays do not increase payments.
Retirement age is also closely linked to the long-term financial health of the Social Security program. Changes to this benchmark affect both the duration and total amount of benefits paid, which is why proposals to raise the retirement age are frequently discussed as potential measures to improve program solvency.
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Trump has clearly stated he will not raise the retirement age or cut Social Security benefits. In a 2023 message, ¹ he told House Republicans, “Under no circumstances should Republicans vote to cut a single penny from Medicare or Social Security,” emphasizing that he would not raise the retirement age or reduce benefits. His campaign promises have framed retirement age changes as politically off-limits, reinforcing his stance that seniors deserve to pay nothing extra for the benefits they’ve already earned.
However, other Republican-aligned groups have floated proposals to shift the retirement age upward. In 2024, the House Republican Study Committee (RSC) ² recommended gradually raising the full retirement age from 67 to 69 for workers turning 62 by 2033. ³ Meanwhile, the Heritage Foundation ⁴ supports even higher retirement age thresholds, linking retirement age increases to longer life expectancy, potentially moving it toward 70. 
According to the Congressional Budget Office, raising the full retirement age from 67 to 69 would lower lifetime Social Security benefits by roughly 5–10% on average, depending on a person’s earnings level. ⁵ The CBO found that people born in the 1970s would see their lifetime benefits fall from 12.7% to 11.6% of lifetime earnings, representing an 8% drop on average, with reductions ranging from about 5% for low earners to 10% for high earners.
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While proponents say the move can slightly extend Social Security’s solvency, the CBO estimates that it would not delay the projected exhaustion of the combined OASDI trust funds in 2034. ⁶
Despite Trump’s vows to leave the retirement age as is, the issue resurfaced on Sept. 18, 2025, during an interview with Fox Business. When asked by Maria Bartiromo about a potential increase to the retirement age, Bisignano said: “I think everything’s being considered and will be considered.” ⁷ He then issued a statement on X the following day clarifying that Trump will “always protect Social Security” and that raising the retirement age “is not under consideration at this time by the administration.”
“President Trump doesn’t seem inclined to raise the Social Security retirement age, so for now it remains 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later,” said Tanza Loudenback, CFP®. “To see what your expected monthly benefit will be at various claiming ages, remember, the earliest you can claim is 62 and the latest is 70, create a My Social Security account on SSA.gov.”
Despite campaign rhetoric, Donald Trump does not have the authority to raise the Social Security retirement age on his own. Any change to the retirement age would require Congress to pass legislation and the president to sign it into law. Raising the retirement age could also conflict with Trump’s previous public statements opposing reductions to Social Security benefits and may carry political risk among older voters, a key constituency. For these reasons, an increase could not occur through executive action alone.
Although some Republican policy proposals have included raising the retirement age or modifying benefit formulas as part of broader efforts to improve Social Security’s long-term solvency, Trump has largely avoided publicly supporting those specific measures. Still, Congress has the ability to pursue such changes independently, meaning adjustments to the retirement age could emerge through the legislative process regardless of the president’s position.
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Studies from the Congressional Budget Office and independent analysts estimate that raising the full retirement age to 69 could reduce average lifetime benefits by 8% to 12%. This translates to approximately $3,500 less per year during retirement for the average retiree.
No. Historically, changes to the full retirement age have applied only to future beneficiaries, not to those already collecting Social Security. For example, when the full retirement age was increased from 65 to 67 under the 1983 reforms, the change was phased in gradually for younger cohorts. Any potential future increase would likely follow a similar approach, leaving current retirees and near-retirees unaffected.
Even though no changes have been proposed recently, it’s possible future legislation could raise the retirement age. If you’re concerned, consider adjusting your retirement strategy now. That might mean saving more aggressively, delaying Social Security claims to increase monthly benefits or reevaluating your planned retirement date. A financial advisor can help model different scenarios based on your age, income, and long-term goals.
Although some Republican policymakers have proposed gradually increasing the full retirement age to 69 or 70, Trump has stated that he does not support such a change, and any adjustment would ultimately require congressional approval. Still, comments from administration officials as recently as September 2025 suggest that a range of policy options may be evaluated as lawmakers consider how to address Social Security’s long-term funding challenges. As discussions continue and fiscal pressures evolve, planning ahead can help create flexibility. A financial advisor can help evaluate potential policy scenarios, coordinate strategies such as health savings account (HSA) planning and build a retirement approach that can adapt to possible reforms.
For now, existing Social Security rules remain in effect, giving retirees a clearer framework for estimating benefits and determining when to claim.
Photo credit: ©iStock.com/PeopleImages, ©iStock.com/Jacob Wackerhausen, ©iStock.com/PIKSEL
Tanza Loudenback, Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), provided the quote used in this article. Please note that Tanza is not a participant in SmartAsset AMP, is not an employee of SmartAsset and has been compensated. The opinion voiced in the quote is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations.
All articles are reviewed and updated by SmartAsset’s fact-checkers for accuracy. Visit our Editorial Policy for more details on our overall journalistic standards.

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