How your retirement date is worked out
The calculator adds your retirement age to your date of birth on the calendar. Choose Full retirement age and it uses the Social Security rule for your birth year, which can include extra months: someone born in 1958 reaches it at 66 and 8 months.
The countdown then counts calendar days, weeks and working days (Monday to Friday) from today, in your time zone.
Example: born May 15, 1980, retiring at full retirement age (67) gives Wednesday, May 15, 2047.
Key retirement ages in the US
- 50: catch-up contributions to 401(k)s and IRAs start in the year you turn 50.
- 55: the rule of 55 lets you take penalty-free withdrawals from your current employer's 401(k) if you leave that job in or after the year you turn 55.
- 59½: withdrawals from IRAs and 401(k)s are free of the 10% early-withdrawal penalty.
- 62: the earliest age to claim Social Security, at a permanently reduced rate.
- 65: Medicare eligibility for most people.
- 66 to 67: your full retirement age, when you get 100% of your Social Security benefit.
- 70: delayed retirement credits stop, so your Social Security benefit is at its maximum.
- 73 or 75: required minimum distributions begin (73 if born 1951–1959, 75 if born 1960 or later).
Sources: Social Security Administration, IRS early distributions, IRS required minimum distributions, Medicare.gov.
Is your money ready?
Knowing the date is half the plan. Check whether your savings will last with the retirement calculator, and see how your employer match adds up with the 401(k) calculator.
Frequently asked questions
When can I retire?
You can retire whenever your savings allow, but key US ages shape the date: 59½ for penalty-free IRA and 401(k) withdrawals, 62 for the earliest Social Security, 65 for Medicare, and your full retirement age (66 to 67) for your full Social Security benefit. Enter your birth date to see each date.
How do I calculate my retirement date?
Add your retirement age to your date of birth. Born on May 15, 1980 and retiring at 67 gives May 15, 2047. If your retirement age includes months, as some full retirement ages do, add those months too.
How many days until I retire?
Pick your birth date and retirement age, and the calculator counts the days, weeks, working days, and years, months and days left, with a live countdown you can add to your calendar.
What is the rule of 55?
If you leave your job in or after the year you turn 55, you can take money from that employer's 401(k) without the 10% early-withdrawal penalty. It does not apply to IRAs or to plans from earlier employers.
At what age do required minimum distributions start?
Under the SECURE 2.0 Act, required minimum distributions from traditional IRAs and 401(k)s start at 73 for people born from 1951 to 1959 and at 75 for people born in 1960 or later.