The Retirement Numbers: the ages
2026 law · reviewed September 4, 2026
| Age | What happens | 2026 figure |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | Catch-up contributions begin | $8,000 plan · $1,100 IRA |
| 55 | HSA catch-up; rule of 55 for a 401(k) after leaving that employer | $1,000 |
| 59½ | Early-withdrawal penalty on retirement accounts ends | |
| 60 to 63 | The larger catch-up replaces the age-50 amount | $11,250 |
| 62 | Earliest Social Security claiming age, reduced | Earnings test $24,480 |
| 63 | The Medicare lookback year begins: this year's income sets the premium at 65 | |
| 65 | Medicare; the additional standard deduction; the senior deduction | $1,650 + $6,000 |
| 66 to 67 | Full retirement age, by birth year | |
| 70 | Delayed retirement credits stop | |
| 70½ | Qualified charitable distributions from an IRA | $111,000 |
| 73 or 75 | Required minimum distributions begin (born before 1960: 73; from 1960: 75) |
Age-based rules on the retirement calendar, current law.