Social Security Payments by Age Range

Average Social Security Check Amounts Vary by Claiming Age in 2025

The average Social Security check amount in 2025 varies significantly based on the age at which one claims benefits. Here's a breakdown of the average monthly benefits for retirees at different ages:

At age 62 (the earliest claiming age), the average check is roughly 70.8% of the full retirement benefit. The maximum benefit at 62 is about $2,831 per month, representing a permanent reduction of about 29.2% compared to full retirement age benefits.
At the full retirement age (FRA), which is now about 66 years and 10 months to 67 years depending on birth year, the average monthly check corresponds to the full benefit with no reduction or increase. The maximum benefit at FRA is about $4,018 per month.
At age 70, delaying benefits increases the amount by about 30.7% beyond the FRA amount. The maximum average check for someone claiming at 70 is about $5,108 per month.

It's important to note that the overall average monthly Social Security check for retired workers as of July 2025 is approximately $2,007, which reflects the broad population average rather than the maximums tied to specific claiming ages.

Key points to note:

The full retirement age has increased from 65 to 66 years and 10 months or 67 years, depending on birth year (those born in 1960 or later have FRA of 67).
Claiming at 62 results in a permanent benefit reduction of about 29% compared to the FRA amount.
Delaying until 70 increases monthly benefits by about 24-32%, or specifically 30.7% for 2025 maximum benefit.
The average benefit for all retired workers ($2,007) is much lower than the maximum benefits quoted because most retirees have lower earnings histories than the maximum taxable amount.

This data is based on Social Security Administration rules and calculations for 2025, reflecting adjustments for wage indexing and cost-of-living. Therefore, the decision of when to claim benefits has a large impact on the size of monthly Social Security payments.

If you're unsure about your own Social Security payments, it's possible to produce a reasonable estimate by creating an account through the SSA's website or visiting a local Social Security office. By supplementing your Social Security benefits with a 401(k), IRA, or other investment, you can ensure a more comfortable retirement.

[1] Social Security Administration. (2025). Retirement Benefits. [Online]. Available: https://www.ssa.gov/retire/

[2] Social Security Administration. (2025). Benefits by Age. [Online]. Available: https://www.ssa.gov/oact/quickcalc/ageincrease.html

[3] Social Security Administration. (2025). Cost-of-Living Adjustments. [Online]. Available: https://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/colasr.html

[4] Social Security Administration. (2025). Average Monthly Social Security Check. [Online]. Available: https://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/AVECOLA.html

Investing in a personal-finance strategy, such as an IRA or 401(k), could potentially supplement one's Social Security income, especially if one chooses to claim benefits earlier and receives a smaller check due to ico (early claiming).
The ico of Social Security benefits can have a significant impact on one's total income during retirement, considering thatdelaying benefits until 70 increases monthly benefits by approximately 30.7%, as illustrated in 2025 data.