FREE NEWSLETTER
On 9/29/2026 the US Senate passed the Claiming Age Clarity Act that the US House passed in December 2025 and the the legislation is now on the way to the President for his signature to become law.
In a nutshell the law changes the terminology about how the claiming ages are referred to by the Social Security Agency.
H. R. 5284 Section 2 of the pending bill as adopted by the Senate without amendment reads as follows –
SEC. 2. Changes to social security terminology.
Not later than the later of the date that is 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act or January 1, 2027, the Commissioner of Social Security shall ensure that, in any rules, regulation, guidance, or other materials of the Social Security Administration, whether online or in print—
(1) the term “early eligibility age” is replaced with the term “minimum monthly benefit age”;
(2) the terms “full retirement age” and “normal retirement age” are replaced with the term “standard monthly benefit age”; and
(3) the term “delayed retirement credit” shall not be used and any reference to age 70 as the maximum age up to which delayed retirement credits can be received shall be replaced with the term “maximum monthly benefit age”.
Passed the House of Representatives December 1, 2025.
Hopefully the new terminology may lead to better claiming decisions.
Thanks, that’s an improvement. I’d like to also see better clarity on survivor benefits and any ages around those referred to more specifically in every usage as the survivor’s ___ age or the decedent’s ___ age.
Free Newsletter
Arrives weekly.