As of May 2025, Social Security remains a critical source of income for millions of retirees and their families. In total, the Social Security Administration (SSA) provided $108.3 billion in benefits to approximately 55.5 million retirees.
This article takes a closer look at how much Social Security benefits you can expect by age, the maximum amounts available, and strategies to maximize your benefits.
The Average Social Security Benefit in 2025
In May 2025, the average monthly Social Security check for retirees was $2,002.39, marking a milestone as it surpassed $2,000 for the first time. The previous month, the average was just $1,999.97, reflecting a modest increase of $2.42.
Your monthly benefit is determined by several factors, including:
Lifetime earnings: How much you earned over your career
Length of work history: The number of years you’ve worked
Age at which you begin receiving benefits: Starting at 62 will result in a reduced benefit, while delaying to age 70 results in the maximum possible amount
Marital status: Your benefit may change if you are married, divorced, or a survivor of a deceased spouse
Social Security Benefit by Age in 2025
Understanding how Social Security benefits are calculated based on age is important for planning your retirement. Here’s how it breaks down:
Age 62 (minimum age to claim, but with reduced benefits): The amount you can expect is $2,831. This figure is lower because you’re claiming early and accepting reduced benefits.
Age 66/67 (Full Retirement Age, depending on birth year): This is when you can claim your full benefits without any reductions or credits. In 2025, the maximum benefit at this age is $4,018.
Age 70 (maximum age to claim with delayed credits): If you wait until age 70 to claim benefits, you can receive $5,108 per month, which is the maximum possible Social Security benefit.
Retirement Payments Coming in July 2025
Social Security payments are distributed on a monthly schedule based on your birthdate. For July 2025, the distribution dates will be as follows:
July 9: For those with birthdays between the 1st and 10th
July 16: For those with birthdays between the 11th and 20th
July 23: For those with birthdays between the 21st and 31st
For individuals who started receiving benefits before May 1997, the payment will be made on July 3, 2025.
Requirements to Maximize Your Social Security Benefit in 2026
In 2025, the maximum monthly Social Security benefit for someone retiring at age 70 is $5,108. To achieve this maximum or increase your future benefits, consider these factors:
- High Salary: Social Security benefits are based on your lifetime earnings. The higher your income, the higher your benefit will be.
- Work Status: The maximum Social Security benefit is only available to individuals who have worked for 35 years of maximum taxable income. If you’ve worked fewer years, those years without earnings will be factored in, lowering your average earnings.
- Postponing Benefits: The longer you delay claiming benefits (up until age 70), the more your benefit will grow due to deferred retirement credits.
- Social Security Taxable Income: In 2025, $176,100 is the maximum income subject to Social Security tax. This cap is adjusted annually based on the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), which also affects the taxable income limits and benefit amounts.
How Social Security Benefits Are Calculated
Social Security benefits are calculated based on your Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME). This is the average of your highest-earning 35 years, adjusted for inflation. From this average, the SSA calculates your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), which serves as the foundation for your monthly benefit.
If you work fewer than 35 years, the years with zero earnings are included, which lowers the average.
The more years you work with maximum taxable earnings, the higher your benefit will be.
Delaying Your Claim: The Best Strategy
One of the most effective strategies for maximizing your Social Security benefit is delaying your claim. Here’s how waiting affects your benefits:
Full Retirement Age (FRA): If you claim at your FRA (either 66 or 67, depending on your birth year), you will receive 100% of your benefit.
Claiming at 62: If you claim at 62, your benefit will be permanently reduced by a certain percentage.
Delaying beyond FRA: If you delay claiming until 70, you will receive 8% more per year in benefits, up to the maximum benefit at age 70.
Understanding the details of Social Security benefits in 2025 is crucial for planning a secure retirement. The amount you receive depends on factors like your earnings history, the age at which you begin claiming, and your marital status.
By delaying your claim and working longer, you can maximize your monthly Social Security check and ensure a more comfortable retirement.
