Good news for millions of Americans! The Social Security Administration (SSA) has rolled out a major update that makes it easier than ever to manage your benefits and personal details online. This change is especially helpful for the 97 million people who already have a mySocialSecurity account.
Now, you don’t have to wait for office hours or deal with long phone calls—most services can be accessed online anytime, day or nWhen it comes to Social Security benefits, timing is everything. The age at which you decide to claim your retirement money can make a huge difference in how much you actually get every month. The payments don’t just depend on your age though – they also depend on your career earnings history and how long you have worked.
In 2025, new numbers show just how these choices affect what you bring home from Social Security. Whether you claim at the earliest possible age (62), wait until your Full Retirement Age (FRA), or hold out until 70, the payments vary a lot. Let’s break it down step by step in simple words, so you clearly understand what those numbers mean for your future.
What Is Full Retirement Age (FRA)?
The Full Retirement Age is the age at which you can claim your Social Security benefit without facing any cuts or reductions. But the FRA depends on when you were born:
- If you were born in 1963 or later (turning 62 in 2025), your FRA is 67.
- If you were born in 1962, the FRA is fixed at 66 years and 10 months.
This age acts as the baseline to calculate whether you’ll get less for claiming earlier or more for waiting longer.
Maximum Social Security Benefit at Different Ages in 2025
Not everyone qualifies for the maximum amount. To get the highest possible payment, you must have earned at or above the taxable earnings limit ($176,100 in 2025) for at least 35 years. That’s a pretty high bar, which only some workers reach.
Here’s how the monthly benefits look if someone with a high-earning history claims at different ages:
Maximum Monthly Payments by Age (2025)
| Claiming Age | Monthly Benefit | Annual Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Age 62 | $2,831 | $33,972 |
| Age 67 (FRA) | $4,018 | $48,216 |
| Age 70 | $5,108 | $61,296 |
Key Takeaways
- Claiming Early (62): You get a lower monthly income because of permanent cuts.
- Claiming at FRA (67): You receive the standard full benefit amount.
- Delaying Until 70: You get rewarded with bigger payments—thanks to an 8% yearly increase for each year after FRA.
How Early or Late Claiming Changes Your Benefit
- If you retire early at 62, your benefits shrink permanently. For the first 36 months, each early month reduces your check by 5/9 of 1%, and for every month beyond that, it’s 5/12 of 1%.
- If you delay until 70, you add 8% more per year, which means nearly 24% more if your FRA is 67.
This “early vs. late” decision can be the difference between a more comfortable retirement and needing extra financial help.
What’s the Average Retirement Payment by Age?
While the maximum figures sound impressive, only a small number of Americans qualify because not everyone earns up to the taxable limit for 35 years. Most retirees get much smaller checks.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) estimated that in September 2025, the average monthly benefit for retired workers will be $1,976 ($23,712 annually). This figure also includes the 2.5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2025 to keep pace with inflation.
Here’s a closer look at the average monthly benefits by age:
| Claiming Age | Average Monthly Benefit | Annual Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Age 62 | $1,342 | $16,104 |
| Age 66 | $1,745 | $20,940 |
| Age 67 | $1,983 | $23,796 |
| Age 70 | $2,148 | $25,776 |
For married couples, the combined average monthly benefit is $3,089 ($37,068 annually) in 2025, which also grows each year with the COLA adjustment.
The amount you receive from Social Security in 2025 depends heavily on your age of claiming and your long-term earnings. Claiming at 62 will permanently give you a smaller check, claiming at FRA (67) gives you the standard full amount, while waiting until 70 allows you to earn the highest possible benefit.
Understanding these numbers helps you plan ahead so you can enjoy a more secure and stress-free retirement.
FAQs
For people born in 1963 or later, it’s 67. For those born in 1962, it’s 66 years and 10 months.
No. To receive the maximum, you need at least 35 years of earnings at or above the annual taxable income limit.
Yes, if you can afford to wait. Delaying increases your check by up to 24% compared to claiming at 67.