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.
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).