Proposed bill would let some Social Security workers retire at 60

A proposal could reduce the retirement age for some Social Security recipients to 60.

The idea comes amid annual COLA forecast checks and growing concerns over retirement age thresholds and the program's long-term funding.

Michigan Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens introduced a bill earlier this week that would lower the retirement age for workers in physically demanding occupations.

The Blue Collar Social Security Fairness Act would let those workers claim full Social Security retirement benefits starting at age 60.

The measure would cover jobs such as construction, roofing, nursing, and manufacturing.

At present, workers can begin claiming reduced retirement benefits at age 62.

People born in 1960 or later must wait until 67 to receive full benefits.

Stevens said the proposal is meant to better support people in more physically demanding roles.

She said, “Michiganders who work with their hands shouldn’t be forced to wait until their bodies give out to retire.

“If we want to honor the dignity of work in this country, we need to lower the retirement age for physical laborers.”

The Social Security Administration would be tasked with drawing up a list of eligible jobs.

That list would be updated every three years.

Under the bill, Americans would not have to spend their entire careers in blue-collar work to qualify for earlier retirement benefits.

A weighted points system would give beneficiaries credit for the years they worked in qualifying jobs.

Social Security Payment Schedule

Social Security payments are issued on the second, third, and fourth Wednesday of each month, depending on a beneficiary’s date of birth.

• January 14, 21, and 28
• February 11, 18, and 25
• March 11, 18, and 25
• April 8, 15, and 22
• May 13, 20, and 27
• June 10, 17, and 24
• July 8, 15, and 22
• August 12, 19, and 26
• September 9, 16, and 23
• October 14, 21, and 28
• November 10, 18, and 25
• December 9, 16, and 23

For example, workers in qualifying jobs between the ages of 18 and 34 would earn 0.5 points for each year worked.

Those ages 35 to 44 would receive 1 point, while workers ages 45 to 54 would get 1.5 points per year.

Anyone older than 55 would receive two points annually until death.

To qualify for full retirement benefits beginning at age 60, workers would need 15 points or 20 total years in qualifying jobs.