Knowing the average monthly Social Security check by age can help optimize retirement plans. As of May 2025, approximately 55.5 million retirees and their families received monthly benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA), totaling $108.3 billion.
How much do they receive? In May 2025, the average monthly Social Security check for retired workers was $2,002.39, an increase of $2.42 from the April average of $1,999.97, according to the SSA’s Monthly Statistical Summary.
This is the first time the average monthly benefit has exceeded $2,000. The monthly personal benefit depends on how much you earned, how long you worked, the age at which you applied for benefits, and your marital status.
The Social Security benefit by age in 2025
The complexity of calculating benefits means that it can be difficult to determine the exact amount of payments if you haven’t yet begun receiving them. Even so, it’s possible to get a reasonable estimate. It’s recommended to consult the 2025 Social Security payment schedule to find out when benefits will arrive during the year.
One way to estimate monthly benefits upon retirement at ages 62, 66/67, and 70 is to look at the average check in 2024. The key is that 62 is the minimum age to claim a reduced benefit, 66/67 represents full retirement age (based on year of birth), and 70 allows you to receive the maximum amount by delaying your claim.
It’s also possible to compare amounts by age and by benefit start at full retirement age or with delayed retirement credits, using data from the SSA’s Annual Statistical Supplement, 2025. Comparing the maximum benefit by age, the increase from delaying collection until age 70 is easily quantified. The difference in 2025 between the maximum at age 62 and at age 70 is $2,187.
Retirement payments coming in July 2025
In July 2025, Social Security payments will be distributed on Wednesdays:
- July 9 (for those with birthdays between the 1st and 10th)
- July 16 (for those with birthdays 11th-20th)
- and July 23 (for those with birthdays 21st-31st).
- Recipients who claimed benefits before May 1997 received their payment on July 3.
In the list below you will find the list of maximum possible benefits from 62 to 70:
- 62 years old, the youngest possible retirement age: $2,831 (reduced payments for early retirement)
- 66/67 years old, full retirement age depending on the year of birth: $4,018 (no reductions or additional credits)
- 70 years old, the maximum age for accruing work credit: $5,108 (increased payment due to delayed retirement age)
Requirements to get the maximum Social Security benefit in 2026
The maximum Social Security check is $5,108 in 2025. To receive the maximum in 2026, or to increase future benefits, immediate action must be taken. Qualifying for the maximum amount is rare, but there are methods to maximize benefits. Achieving this benefit depends not only on a high salary, but also on job status, age, marital status, and retirement decisions.
Even if you don’t reach the maximum, there are ways to increase the amount you receive. The maximum retirement benefit in 2025 is $5,108 per month, applicable only to high-income individuals who have reached 35 years of maximum taxable income and who postpone claiming until age 70.
Earning a higher salary in 2025 impacts future benefits, as the benefit depends on lifetime earnings. In 2025, the maximum income subject to Social Security tax is $176,100. This maximum is set to change next year, according to the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), that impacts benefits and other relevant numbers, like the taxable income, for example.
Working longer increases benefits. The SSA uses the 35 years of highest earnings to calculate the monthly benefit. At least ten years of work are required to qualify for benefits, but the maximum benefit requires a full 35 years. If you work fewer than 35 years, years with zero earnings are included in the calculation, lowering the average.
The calculation is based on the average indexed monthly earnings. This average is obtained by adding up to 35 years of indexed earnings. The SSA applies a formula to this average to determine the Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), which is the basis for benefits paid.
Delaying your benefit claim is one of the best strategies for maximizing your payments. Full retirement age (FRA) provides 100% of your benefit. Claiming benefits at age 62 results in an annual reduction, while waiting beyond the FRA accrues an annual deferred retirement credit until age 70.
