[20000105]RS20423_社会保障：退休年龄变化情况说明书.pdf

Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS20423January 5, 2000Social Security: Fact Sheet on Changes in theRetirement AgeGeoffrey KollmannSpecialist in Social LegislationDomestic Social Policy DivisionSummaryThe Social Security “full retirement age” the age at which retired workers, agedspouses, or surviving aged spouses receive benefits that are not reduced for “early”retirement will gradually rise from 65 to 67 beginning with people who attain age 62in 2000 (i.e., those born in 1938). Early retirement benefits will still be availablebeginning at age 62 (age 60 for aged widows and widowers), but at lower levels.The original Social Security Act of 1935 set the minimum age at which workers couldreceive Social Security retirement benefits at 65. In 1956, (for women) and 1961 (for men)Congress lowered the minimum age to 62, but also provided that benefits taken before age65 would be permanently reduced to account for the longer period over which benefitswould be paid. This “actuarial reduction” is 5/9 of 1% for each month benefits arereceived before age 65 a 20% reduction at age 62. In 1972, Congress set agedw