The Average Social Security Income At Every Age For Retirees

Social Security is a major source of retirement income for most Americans. Data from the Social Security Administration points to nearly 90% of individuals aged 65 and older receiving a guaranteed monthly check for life, representing almost a third of their income. Social Security's total outlays for fiscal year 2025 are projected to be approximately $1.62 trillion, accounting for 22% of total federal spending. This makes it the largest single category of the federal budget, ahead of Medicare (16%), defense (12%), and interest on the national debt (14%).

According to the SSA, 74.4 million Americans are currently collecting benefits, with 53.2 million of them retirees aged 65 and older. The others that also qualify for Social Security benefits are disabled workers, their spouses and children, and survivors of deceased workers. As of July 2025, the average monthly benefit for all recipients is $1,863.12, and for retirees, it is $2,006.69. In total, for July alone, the SSA paid out $130.3 billion in benefits, with retirees and their families receiving $109.3 billion.

However, this amount can vary widely based on the age at which they claimed Social Security and can dramatically alter their lifetime income by tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Here's the average Social Security income at every age for retirees, along with tips on how to maximize benefits.

You can begin claiming Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62 and as late as age 70. However, the timing of your claim significantly affects the amount you receive. Your benefits are permanently reduced based on the number of months you start collecting before your full retirement age (FRA), while delaying your start date increases your monthly benefit.

If your full retirement age (FRA) is 67 and you claim at 62, your benefit is reduced by 30%. This reduction is calculated monthly: for the first 36 months before FRA, Social Security deducts 5/9 of 1% per month. For any months beyond 36, the reduction is 5/12 of 1% per month. For example, claiming at 65 results in a reduction of roughly 13.3%.

Your FRA depends on your birth year:

• Born 1943–1954: FRA is 66

• Born 1955–1959: FRA increases gradually from 66 and 2 months to 66 and 10 months

• Born 1960 or later: FRA is 67

Delaying benefits past FRA earns delayed retirement credits—about 8% more per year, up to age 70. Claiming at 70 can result in a benefit that's 24% higher than at FRA and up to 76% higher than claiming at 62. These adjustments are permanent and can significantly affect your lifetime income, especially if you live into your 80s or beyond.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses two key metrics to calculate your benefits: Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME) and Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). Your AIME is calculated by taking your highest 35 years of earnings, adjusting each year for inflation using wage indexing, and dividing the total by 420 months. This average reflects your lifetime earnings and is the primary factor in calculating your benefits. If you worked fewer than 35 years or had low-earning years, those gaps can lower your average and reduce your benefit. Asking for a raise and replacing those years with higher earnings—especially in your later career—can boost your monthly check.

The SSA then applies a progressive formula to your AIME to calculate your PIA — the amount you'd receive at full retirement age (FRA). Your PIA is the baseline amount, and it's adjusted up or down depending on when you claim benefits.

Marital status also plays a role. If you're married, you may be eligible for spousal benefits worth up to 50% of your spouse's PIA. If your spouse passes away, you could receive up to 100% of their benefit as a survivor. Divorced spouses may also qualify for benefits if the marriage lasted at least 10 years and certain conditions are met. If you work while receiving benefits before reaching FRA, the earnings test may temporarily reduce your payments. In 2025, if you earn more than $23,400 before FRA, Social Security deducts $1 for every $2 earned over the limit. For those reaching FRA in 2025, the limit is $62,160, with $1 deducted for every $3 earned above that amount. 

According to the SSA, as of December 2024, the average monthly benefits by age for retirees whose benefits are unaffected by early retirement deductions or delayed retirement credits are as follows:

• Age 66: $2,127.06
• Age 67: $2,162.83
• Age 68: $2,161.25
• Age 69: $2,190.48
• Age 70: $2,176.76
• Age 75: $2,174.20
• Age 80: $2,250.80

In addition to your claiming age, your average Social Security benefits will vary significantly by state due to the differences in regional wage levels. States with higher average wages, such as Connecticut and New Jersey, tend to have higher average benefits. Conversely, states with lower average wages, such as Mississippi and Louisiana, have some of the lowest average benefits. 

There is also a significant disparity in the average Social Security benefits between men and women. 

• Age 66-69
  • Men: $2,397.62
  • Women: $1,922.15
• Age 70-74
  • Men: $2,369.20
  • Women: $1,919.59

Women often get lower Social Security checks than men because of differences in pay and work history. Social Security looks at your highest 35 years of earnings to figure out your benefit. Many women earn less over their careers due to the gender pay gap, taking time off for childcare or family care, or working part-time. These breaks can result in years with little or no income, which in turn lowers the average. Women also tend to live longer, so smaller checks have to last longer. However, married couples can potentially increase their overall benefits by utilizing spousal and survivor benefits.

The maximum Social Security retirement benefit depends on your earnings history. To qualify, you must have earned at or above the wage base limit for at least 35 years. The Social Security wage base limit, also known as the taxable maximum, changes annually based on growth in the national average wage index. In 2025, that wage base limit is $176,100. If you fall short—even by a few years—your AIME will be lower, and so will your benefit. If you have fewer than 35 years of earnings, Social Security fills in the gaps with zeros, which lowers your average. To qualify for the maximum amount, you will need to replace your low-income years with years with higher taxable maximum earnings. Here's the maximum monthly benefit by age:

• At age 62: $2,831 per month

• At FRA (age 67): $4,018 per month

• At age 70: $5,108 per month

Delaying claiming also maximizes your Social Security benefits. The difference between claiming at 62 and 70 is $2,277 per month. Over time, this adds up. If a retiree lives to age 85, claiming at 62 results in 23 years of benefits, totaling $781,764. Claiming Social Security at 70 results in 15 years of benefits, but the total collected is $919,440. That's a $137,676 difference in lifetime income.

Most retirees won't receive the maximum benefit, but this example illustrates the power of delayed claiming. Even for those with average earnings, the percentage increase from waiting can be substantial. If you're in good health, have other income sources, and expect to live into your 80s or beyond, delaying Social Security can be a high-impact financial decision.

If you want to know how much money you might get from Social Security when you retire, there are several easy ways to find out. The SSA offers a free online benefits calculator tool to help you estimate your monthly benefits. To use it, go to ssa.gov and create a my Social Security account, or sign in if you already have one. With my Social Security, you can verify your earnings, review your Social Security Statement, and much more. Once you're logged in, you can use their benefits calculator to see how much you might receive at different ages, like 62, 67, or 70.

The calculator pulls in your past earnings and lets you add in what you expect to earn in the future. This helps you see how your benefit could change depending on when you decide to retire. For example, it shows how claiming early might lower your monthly check, while waiting longer could increase it. If you prefer not to log-in, the SSA also offers a quick benefits calculator. The quick calculator does not access your earnings record. It estimates your earnings based on the information you provide, so the benefit estimates may not be as accurate.

If you'd rather talk to someone in person, you can also visit a local Social Security office. The staff there can answer questions, explain how your benefits are figured out, and help you understand your options.