# Changes in the Retirement Age
> **US Social Security Administration** · Final rules. · Published 2003-01-30 · Effective 2003-01-30 · 68 FR 4700
## Document
- **Document number:** 03-1949
- **Category:** ssa-retirement
- **Agency:** US Social Security Administration
- **Federal Register citation:** 68 FR 4700
- **CFR reference:** 20 CFR 404
- **Publication date:** 2003-01-30
- **Effective date:** 2003-01-30
- **Docket:** Reg. No. 4
## Abstract

These final rules amend our regulations to reflect the changes in full retirement age and in monthly benefit reduction for early retirement as established by section 201 of the Social Security Amendments of 1983 (the 1983 Amendments), and the change in delayed retirement credits (DRCs) as established by section 4 of the Senior Citizens' Freedom to Work Act of 2000 (the Freedom to Work Act). Section 201 of the 1983 Amendments gradually increases the full retirement age for unreduced old-age, wife's or husband's, and widow's or widower's benefits from age 65 to age 67. Section 201 provides for an additional reduction in old-age and wife's or husband's benefits when early retirement is elected more than 36 months prior to full retirement age. It also requires a different method of computing the amount of reduction for early retirement for widow's or widower's benefits. Section 4 of the Freedom to Work Act allows a beneficiary who has attained full retirement age to voluntarily suspend retirement benefits to earn DRCs.

## Source
- [Federal Register document](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2003/01/30/03-1949/changes-in-the-retirement-age)
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