### Question
Can you define what earliest retirement age means?


### Answer
**Earliest retirement age** is defined as the following in *29 U.S.C. § 1055*:

> the earliest date on which, under the plan, the participant could elect to receive retirement benefits

#### Citation:
  - *29 U.S.C. § 1055*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 17-COMPREHENSIVE EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING PROGRAMS > SUBCHAPTER I-PROTECTION OF EMPLOYEE BENEFIT RIGHTS > Subtitle B-Regulatory Provisions > part 2-participation and vesting**

