Social Security’s leadership says raising the retirement age is not under consideration after Commissioner Frank Bisignano walked back a televised remark that “everything’s being considered,” and publicly clarified that “raising the retirement age is not under consideration.
In a Fox Business interview previously referenced by Fortune, Bisignano said: “I think everything’s being considered, will be considered.” He also said: “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 one universal retirement age; Social Security’s full retirement age is 66–67 (67 if born 1960 or later), early Social Security can start at 62 with reduced benefits, and Medicare eligibility generally begins 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 walk‑back emphasized the agency is not pursuing a higher retirement age following the initial “everything’s being considered” comment.
Next steps for Congress
Signals from the administration and Congress about a concrete package—focused on fraud reduction, revenue changes, or other efficiency measures—will indicate whether consensus can be formed without affecting the full retirement age.
Earlier Fortune coverage highlighted potential outcomes if Congress fails to act—such as benefits being cut by roughly 23%—and surveyed options frequently discussed by lawmakers, including lifting the payroll tax cap or gradually increasing payroll tax rates.