Social Security leadership has confirmed that raising the retirement age is not being considered, following a clarification from Commissioner Frank Bisignano. Earlier remarks suggesting that “everything’s being considered” prompted public attention and concern over potential benefit changes.
In a Fox Business interview previously cited by Fortune, Bisignano stated: “I think everything’s being considered, will be considered.” He also noted: “Remember, most people told you and I Social Security wasn’t going to be around, and it’s going to be around. And so the generations that are coming in will probably have a different set of rules than we had.”
The U.S. does not have a single, uniform retirement age. Social Security’s full retirement age ranges from 66–67 (67 if born in 1960 or later). Early Social Security benefits can begin at 62 with reduced payments, and Medicare eligibility generally starts at 65.
SSA clarification
Later the same day, Bisignano posted a clarification on X: “Let me be clear: President Trump and I will always protect, and never cut, Social Security… Raising the retirement age is not under consideration.” Coverage of the clarification underscored that the agency is not pursuing a higher retirement age despite the earlier “everything’s being considered” comment.
Next steps for Congress
Future signals from the administration and Congress regarding a concrete legislative package—potentially focused on fraud reduction, revenue changes, or other efficiency measures—will reveal whether a consensus can be reached without altering the full retirement age.
Earlier Fortune coverage outlined possible outcomes if Congress fails to act, including a potential 23% reduction in benefits, and reviewed options frequently discussed by lawmakers, such as lifting the payroll tax cap or gradually increasing payroll tax rates.
