Could Social Security allow certain U.S. workers to claim retirement benefits at 60?
In the U.S., eligible workers can begin claiming retirement benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) at age 62. However, a new bill could lower the retirement age for certain workers.
“Shouldn’t be forced to wait until their bodies give out”
Haley Stevens, a House representative for Michigan, has introduced the Blue Collar Social Security Fairness Act, a bill that would allow people in physically demanding jobs to collect their full retirement benefits when they turn 60.
The bill would lower the retirement age for Americans working in fields such as construction, roofing, nursing and manufacturing. It would also establish a list of eligible occupations that would be updated every three years.
“Michiganders who work with their hands shouldn’t be forced to wait until their bodies give out to retire,” Stevens said in a statement on Friday.
The congresswoman added: “If we want to honor the dignity of work in this country, we need to lower the retirement age for physical laborers.”
Michiganders who work physically demanding jobs shouldn’t have to choose between their health and the retirement benefits they’ve earned.
My Blue Collar Social Security Fairness Act would allow eligible workers to receive their full Social Security benefits at 60. pic.twitter.com/2S0THG6VJ5
— Rep. Haley Stevens (@RepHaleyStevens) September 24, 2026
The importance of full retirement age
Although Social Security retirements benefits can be claimed from age 62, the SSA recommends waiting until what’s known as full retirement age, when beneficiaries are entitled to receive 100% of their retirement benefit.
Applying early reduces the size of a claimant’s monthly benefits payment, while delaying retirement increases the amount that retirees receive.
Under the proposal, full retirement age for blue-collar workers would be 60. Currently, full retirement age varies, depending on the beneficiary.
[embedded content]
How full retirement age is calculated
Full retirement age depends on a worker’s year of birth:
- Born in 1943 to 1954: 66
- Born in 1955: 66 and 2 months
- Born in 1956: 66 and 4 months
- Born in 1957: 66 and 6 months
- Born in 1958: 66 and 8 months
- Born in 1959: 66 and 10 months
- Born in 1960 or later: 67
On its website, the SSA also offers an online tool for calculating an individual’s full retirement age.
Related stories
Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.