H.R. 5284 · Passed both chambers · Social Welfare

Claiming Age Clarity Act

Sponsor: Lloyd Smucker (R-PA)

What it does

• Replace 'early eligibility age' with 'minimum monthly benefit age' in Social Security Administration materials and communications.
• Replace 'full retirement age' and 'normal retirement age' with 'standard monthly benefit age' in Social Security Administration materials and communications.
• Replace 'delayed retirement credit' with references to 'maximum monthly benefit age' to describe the age 70 threshold for benefit increases.

Official summary

Claiming Age Clarity Act This bill changes certain terms that are used by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to describe the ages at which a worker may claim Social Security retirement benefits. First, the SSA must use minimum monthly benefit age instead of early eligibility age . This refers to the earliest age (62 under current law) at which a worker may claim benefits. (Currently, the benefit amount of a worker who claims benefits early is reduced to account for the longer period during which the worker is expected to receive benefits.) Second, the SSA must use standard monthly benefit age instead of full retirement age and normal retirement age . These terms refer to the age at which a worker may claim benefits without a reduction in the benefit amount. (Currently, this age ranges from 65 to 67, depending on the worker's year of birth.) Finally, the SSA must use the term maximum monthly benefit age for any reference to age 70 as the maximum age at which a worker may receive delayed retirement credits. The SSA may not use the term delayed retirement credit. These terms refer to the mechanism that increases the benefit amount of a worker who delays claiming benefits after…

Latest action

Sep 29, 2026: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5184)

Committee: Senate Finance