Free cheat sheet
The 2026 Social Security Cheat Sheet
The numbers that matter, claiming ages at a glance, and a checklist before you file — on one page you can print or save.
2026 key numbers
- 2026 COLA (cost-of-living adjustment)
- 2.8%
- Full retirement age (born 1960 or later)
- 67
- Earliest you can claim retirement
- 62
- Age delayed credits stop growing
- 70
- Max earnings taxed for Social Security (wage base)
- $184,500
- Earnings-test limit — under FRA all year
- $24,480
- Earnings-test limit — year you reach FRA
- $65,160
- Max share of benefits that can be federally taxed
- up to 85%
Claiming at a glance
Roughly how much of your full benefit you’d get, by the age you claim (full retirement age 67):
62
≈ 70%
Earliest — a permanent reduction
67
100%
Full retirement age (born 1960+)
70
≈ 124%
Max — delayed retirement credits
Before you claim — checklist
- Check your earnings record for errors in your my Social Security account
- Estimate your benefit at 62, 67, and 70 (use our benefits estimator)
- Know your full retirement age
- If married, weigh spousal and survivor strategy together
- Plan to enroll in Medicare around 65 — on time, to avoid penalties
- If working before FRA, understand the earnings test
- Factor in federal taxes on your benefits
- Keep documents handy: SSN, birth/marriage records, bank info, work history
Want the full picture?
This is the quick version. Go deeper with The Complete Guide to Social Security, see when to claim, or run your own numbers with the benefits estimator.
Last reviewed June 15, 2026. Figures reflect 2026 values and are for general education, not financial advice. SocialSecurityNews.com is independent and not affiliated with the Social Security Administration. Confirm your own numbers at ssa.gov.