Average Social Security Benefits for Retired Workers by Age in 2025 – How Much Can You Expect to Receive?

Social Security benefits are a critical source of income for millions of retirees. However, the amount you’ll receive every month depends on a variety of factors, including your retirement age and your personal earnings history. The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides an annual update to show how much retirees can expect to receive at different ages, offering a helpful guide to understanding the average benefits for seniors in 2025.

Overview of Social Security Benefits

Your Social Security benefits are not one-size-fits-all. The amount you receive depends on when you decide to start claiming, your earnings over your working years, and your full retirement age (FRA).

The SSA releases average monthly payments based on age, from 62 to 99+, reflecting the varying financial situations of retirees at different stages. For example, someone who claims benefits at 62 will receive a different monthly amount than someone who waits until 70. Additionally, the benefit amount doesn’t always account for when you filed for benefits. For instance, a 68-year-old may have claimed benefits at 62, 66, or any age in between, affecting the total benefit received.

Social Security as a Financial Lifeline

For many, Social Security isn’t just a benefit—it’s a financial lifeline. In 2024, Social Security lifted nearly 22 million people out of poverty, including 16.3 million seniors aged 65 or older, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. For a large portion of retirees, Social Security checks are their main source of income, covering basic living expenses.

Average Monthly Benefits by Age (December 2024 Data)

The following table shows the average monthly benefit for retirees at various ages based on SSA data from December 2024:

Age	Avg. Monthly Benefit ($)
62	1,341.61
63	1,364.48
64	1,425.42
65	1,611.00
66	1,763.99
67	1,929.73
68	1,979.87
69	2,039.72
70	2,148.12
71	2,114.43
72	2,117.23
73	2,087.94
74	2,054.16
75	2,064.53
76	2,076.39
77	2,046.16
78	2,060.78
79	2,012.59
80	2,006.20
81	2,004.45
82	2,007.04
83	2,006.39
84	1,983.59
85	1,944.05
86	1,924.82
87	1,893.13
88	1,838.39
89	1,813.00
90	1,809.24
91	1,814.93
92	1,838.03
93	1,825.54
94	1,815.61
95	1,814.95
96	1,821.27
97	1,822.09
98	1,798.73
99+	1,775.88

As shown in the table, benefits generally increase with age, peaking at around 70 before starting to slightly decline due to factors such as survivor claims, reduced working years, or early claims.

Key Factors Influencing Social Security Benefits

The amount of your Social Security benefits is based on several factors:

1. Earnings History: The SSA takes into account your 35 highest-earning years, adjusting for inflation. The more you earned, the larger your monthly benefit.
2. Employment History: To qualify for Social Security, you need at least 10 years of work (or 40 credits). The more years you work and the higher your earnings, the larger your benefits.
3. Full Retirement Age (FRA): The FRA for most people is between 66 and 67. At this age, you’re eligible for full benefits. Claiming benefits before your FRA results in smaller payments, while waiting until after 70 allows you to receive larger monthly benefits.
4. Claim Age: If you claim Social Security benefits early (as early as 62), your monthly check will be smaller. However, waiting until 70 maximizes your benefits, resulting in the highest possible monthly payment.

If you’ve had a strong income history and wait until age 70 to claim, your Social Security check will be near the maximum, which can significantly improve your financial security in retirement.

Understanding your Social Security benefits is an essential part of retirement planning. The earlier you claim, the smaller your check will be. But if you delay claiming until age 70, you can maximize your benefits. Whether you’re approaching retirement or still several years away, knowing how your earnings and retirement age affect your benefit can help you plan for a more comfortable future.

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