Fixed Income

Turning Full Retirement Age in 2026? Consider Filing for Benefits This Month

January is a critical month for the hundreds of thousands of potential Social Security beneficiaries who are reaching their full retirement age in 2026.
Turning Full Retirement Age in 2026? Consider Filing for Benefits This Month
Many readers in the past told me that when they tried to file in January, Social Security Administration representatives told them they could not do so. Sadly, far too many SSA agents are unfamiliar with how these rules work. If you run into the same problem, ask to speak to a supervisor. zimmytws/Shutterstock
Tom Margenau
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I write a column similar to this one every January. But I don’t mind plagiarizing myself because it contains a very important message for people planning to retire in 2026.

January is a critical month for the hundreds of thousands of potential Social Security beneficiaries who are reaching their full retirement age in 2026. The important message is that all of them should at least consider filing for their benefits this month, even though they may not reach their retirement age until later in the year.

Tom Margenau
Tom Margenau
Author
Tom Margenau worked for 32 years in a variety of positions for the Social Security Administration before retiring in 2005. He has served as the director of SSA’s public information office, the chief editor of more than 100 SSA publications, a deputy press officer and spokesman, and a speechwriter for the commissioner of Social Security. For 12 years, he also wrote Social Security columns for local newspapers, and recently published the book “Social Security: Simple and Smart.” If you have a Social Security question, contact him at [email protected]