Your Retirement Timeline: the rules, by age
reviewed September 1, 2026
| Age | Rule | What changes |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | Catch-up contributions unlock | Higher 401(k) and IRA contribution limits apply for this whole calendar year. |
| 55 | Rule of 55 and HSA catch-up | Leave an employer in or after this year and that 401(k) can be tapped without the early penalty. |
| 59½ | Retirement accounts unlock | The 10 percent early-withdrawal penalty on retirement accounts ends. |
| 60 | Survivor benefits eligibility | For those who have lost a spouse: Social Security survivor benefits can begin (reduced), while your own benefit keeps growing. |
| 62 | Social Security's earliest claiming age | The earliest Social Security claiming age. Claiming now is permanent and reduced. |
| 63 | The Medicare lookback begins | Income in this calendar year sets your Medicare premium at 65 (the two-year lookback). |
| 65 | Medicare enrollment window | Your seven-month Medicare enrollment window opens three months before your birthday month. |
| 66 to 67, by birth year | Full Retirement Age | Benefits claimed from here on are unreduced, and the earnings test ends. |
| 70 | Social Security maxes out | Delayed-retirement credits stop. Waiting past 70 adds nothing. |
| 70½ | Qualified charitable distributions unlock | Qualified charitable distributions unlock: IRA gifts direct to charity, off your income. |
| 73 or 75, by birth year | Required minimum distributions begin | Required minimum distributions begin in this calendar year. |
Age-based federal retirement rules, in order, under current law.