The Retirement Numbers: the ages
2026 law · reviewed September 5, 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.
Educational only, not investment, tax, or legal advice. Results are hypothetical estimates that vary with each use and over time and are not guaranteed accurate or complete. Using this tool creates no client relationship with Considerate Capital, and the site that linked here is not affiliated with it. By using it you agree to the tool terms (opens in a new window).