By Kemp Baratier

Even though Congress passed legislation that raised the full retirement age in 1982 and it first affected people turning 65 in 2003, we still regularly receive questions from people who are confused about the changes. Remember, you can still start collecting reduced benefits at age 62.

You can use the following chart to determine FRA for retirement or spouse’s benefits:

Birth year: retirement age

1937 or earlier: 65 years

1938: 65 years, 2 months

1939: 65 years, 4 months

1940: 65 years, 6 months

1941: 65 years, 8 months

1942: 65 years, 10 months

1943-1954: 66 years

1955: 66 years, 2 months

1956: 66 years, 4 months

1957: 66 years, 6 months

1958: 66 years, 8 months

1959: 66 years, 10 months

1960 or later: 67 years

Anyone born on Jan. 1 of any year should refer to the full retirement age for the previous year.

There is nothing magical about reaching FRA, but there are several things that change when you get there. First, by filing for retirement benefits at or after FRA, your benefits are no longer reduced for retiring early. Second, once you reach FRA, you are no longer subject to the annual earnings limit.

As noted, if you retire before FRA your benefits are reduced. Before the FRA rule changes, a person filing at age 62 received 80 percent of what he would receive at age 65; however, a worker born in 1948 with an FRA of 66 years would receive 75 percent at age 62.

You may also decide to continue working and receive full benefits or delay filing and earn what we call "delayed retirement credits." These credits will actually increase your benefits to more than what you would receive at FRA.

Another point of confusion involves Medicare. Even if your FRA is 65 years and 6 months, for example, you should still apply for Medicare at age 65.

Stop in or give us a call at 433-0171 and we can explain how all this affects you in your particular situation.

Kemp Baratier is district manager for the Social Security Administration in Oneonta.