Deciding when to begin claiming Social Security retirement benefits is one of the most crucial financial decisions for many Americans. If you delay claiming until age 70, you benefit from Delayed Retirement Credits, which raise your monthly benefit compared to claiming at Full Retirement Age or earlier. Let’s break down what that means in 2025.
What’s Full Retirement Age & Delayed Retirement Credits
- For those born in 1960 or later, Full Retirement Age (FRA) is 67.
- Delayed Retirement Credits (DRCs) increase your check by about 8% per full year you wait past your FRA until age 70.
- Once you hit age 70, you no longer earn more DRCs — that’s the maximum benefit point.
Key Figures for 2025
Here are the most up-to-date numbers for Social Security in 2025:
| Scenario | Amount per month at Claim Age in 2025 |
|---|---|
| Maximum possible benefit at age 70 | $5,108 |
| Maximum benefit at full retirement age | $4,018 |
| Maximum benefit at earliest claim age (62) | $2,831 |
| Average retired worker’s benefit (all ages) | About $2,006.69/month |
How Much Can You Actually Expect If You Claim at 70?
If you claim at age 70 in 2025, your benefit depends heavily on your work history, earnings record, and how much you contributed in Social Security taxes over the years:
- To get the maximum benefit of $5,108/month, you would need to have earned at or above the maximum taxable earnings limit ($176,100 in 2025) for most of your working life—typically 35 years.
- Many will get less than the maximum, depending on average earnings, years worked, and whether they delayed long enough.
- For someone who has a “fairly good” earnings record but not maximum earnings, delayed retirement to age 70 typically gives a noticeably higher monthly benefit than claiming at FRA or earlier.
Comparing Claiming Ages
| Claim Age | Relative Benefit vs. FRA or Earlier Claiming |
|---|---|
| Age 62 | Much lower — a permanent reduction compared to FRA (because of early claiming) |
| Full Retirement Age (≈ 67) | You get the “base” or standard benefit — no reductions or delayed credits. |
| Age 70 | Highest monthly benefit due to maximum Delayed Retirement Credits. |
Things That Affect Your Benefit Amount
- Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME): The amount calculated based on your highest 35 years of earnings (indexed for inflation).
- Years worked: If you have fewer than 35 years of contributions, “zero” years are averaged in, which lowers benefit.
- Whether you kept working until FRA and beyond: Income right before claiming can help.
- Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA): Benefits adjust yearly; in 2025 there is a COLA increase.
If you start receiving Social Security benefits at age 70 in 2025, you’re positioning yourself to receive the highest possible monthly benefit thanks to Delayed Retirement Credits. The maximum benefit for 2025 is $5,108/month, but only those with very strong earnings records will receive that top amount.
Most people will receive less, depending on their income history, work years, and when they choose to claim. Delaying benefits usually means a higher monthly payment, but you’ll need to weigh that against your health, financial needs, and life expectancy.
FAQs
What is the maximum Social Security monthly benefit if I wait until age 70 in 2025?
The maximum is $5,108/month for those who have worked long enough (usually 35 years) and earned at or above the maximum taxable earnings annually.
How does my benefit at age 70 compare to claiming at age 62 or at Full Retirement Age?
If you claim at age 62, your benefit is permanently reduced. At Full Retirement Age (≈ 67), you get the base benefit. Delaying to age 70 gives you the highest possible monthly benefit, due to Delayed Retirement Credits (adding about 8% per year past FRA).
Will everyone receive the maximum benefit if they wait until age 70?
No. Only those with high lifetime earnings (at or above the maximum taxable earnings level, for many years), and full work history, can reach the maximum. Many people receive less because their earnings or years worked were below that.