Claiming Age Clarity Act
The Claiming Age Clarity Act would direct the Social Security Administration (SSA) to overhaul its terminology in all rules, regulations, guidance, and other materials (online and print) by January 1, 2027. Specifically, it requires SSA to replace three terms: “early eligibility age” becomes “minimum monthly benefit age”; “full retirement age” and “normal retirement age” become “standard monthly benefit age”; and “delayed retirement credit” would no longer be used, with references to aging up to 70 as the maximum for delayed retirement credits replaced by “maximum monthly benefit age.” The bill does not change how benefits are calculated or who is eligible; it only changes the language used to describe ages and credits in SSA materials. In short, the bill aims to standardize and simplify SSA terminology to improve clarity for the public, but it does not alter underlying Social Security rules or benefit amounts. The change would affect how people think about when they can claim benefits and how those ages are described in SSA guidance and forms.
Key Points
- 1Terminology changes required by a set deadline:
- 2- “early eligibility age” → “minimum monthly benefit age”
- 3- “full retirement age” and “normal retirement age” → “standard monthly benefit age”
- 4- “delayed retirement credit” shall not be used; references to age 70 as the maximum age for such credits replaced with “maximum monthly benefit age”
- 5Scope: Applies to all SSA materials, online or print (rules, regulations, guidance, and other materials).
- 6Deadline: Not later than January 1, 2027, SSA must implement the changes.
- 7Nature of change: Terminological and communications updates only; no explicit changes to benefit calculations, entitlement ages, or eligibility rules.
- 8Legislative context: Introduced in the 119th Congress as H.R. 5284, sponsored by Rep. Smucker (with co-sponsors), referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.