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If you’re wondering how your future Social Security benefits stack up to others your age, new numbers from the Social Security Administration give a clear snapshot.
As of April 2025, the average monthly Social Security benefit for retired workers hit $1,999.97, a slight increase from March. But when you break it down by age and gender, the picture changes — and it may influence when you choose to file for benefits.
Why these numbers matter right now
Over 54 million retirees and family members now receive Social Security. That number is growing fast. But how much each person receives still depends heavily on when they filed, how long they worked, and how much they earned.
Looking at average benefit amounts by age group can help you understand where you stand — and how delaying benefits or claiming early could affect your monthly check.
The real difference between filing early and waiting until 70
Here’s the maximum possible monthly benefit based on when you retire in 2024:
- Age 62 (earliest eligible age): $2,710
- Age 66/67 (full retirement age): $3,822
- Age 70 (maximum delay): $4,873
That’s a $2,163 difference between taking benefits at 62 and waiting until 70. The longer you wait (up to age 70), the larger your monthly check — thanks to delayed retirement credits that grow at about 8% per year.
Average monthly benefit by current age
If you’ve already started collecting or plan to soon, here’s what other Americans in your age group are receiving — on average:
| Age | All Retirees | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 67 | $2,101.74 | $2,325.79 | $1,861.62 |
| 70 | $2,081.42 | $2,283.06 | $1,845.00 |
| 75 | $2,156.24 | $2,366.55 | $1,901.33 |
| 80 | $2,201.97 | $2,438.74 | $1,908.59 |
| 85 | $2,109.24 | $2,338.28 | $1,822.84 |
| 90+ | $1,611.80 | $1,676.79 | $1,565.49 |
What would be the case if you put off taking benefits past the full retirement age?
It’s just a matter of fact that when you delay taking benefits, you get a bump in your retirement income through the delayed retirement credits.
| Age 70 – Average Benefit | With Delayed Credit | Without Credit |
|---|---|---|
| All Retirees | $2,924.27 | $2,386.60 |
| Men | $3,208.77 | $2,633.77 |
| Women | $2,614.25 | $2,117.27 |
That can be an increase of 500 to 600 dollars per month, just for waiting a couple of additional years. In a 20-year retirement period, this is expected to sum up to more than $100,000 added income.
Finding your an your estimated benefits by yourself is actually quite easy to do
Should you have not filled in the necessary forms yet, then through the following step by step guide you will find your expected amount:
- Go to the Social Security Administration ‘s website (SSA.gov) and sign in to my social security account or create a new account if you do not have it.
- Estimate the sum of the tips of the three age points i.e., 62, 67, and 70 by using the benefit estimator tool.
- If you would like to talk to someone in person they can assist you by going to the nearest SSA office.
Know your own unique number because it is a must to plan properly for your old age and a desired way of living without getting into a financial mess.
Reasons behind the difference in the size of your benefit from the one received by an average person
The fact that not everyone gets the same amount of money from the same source, can be illustrated by the following example. The Social Security formula provides for:
- The number of years one made the most money for 35 years
- It is crucial to know the lowest and highest amounts between which you will be eligible to file so that you can make sound decisions.
- One’s career history
- One’s relationship status and spousal benefits
All these are the main reasons why two people at the same age may still have quite different checks.
The first step in retirement readiness is to build a financial resource pool — then on what other things to focus your money
While Social Security is a major source of retirement income, most financial advisors hold that you also need other sources of income.
After finding your average expected benefit, compare this sum with the figures of your predicted expenses and identify the difference. The difference you should consider to fill in the gap may be:
- Retirement savings (from a 401(k) or an IRA)
- Some additional money may also come from pensions if you are eligible for one.
- Stocks ( INDIVIDUAL INVESTMENT OPTIONS) or insurance or annuities
- Selling some of your properties in order to have a cheaper house.
Knowing your financial situation can help you avert unforeseen eventualities, such as the need for huge amounts of money due to health expenses or due to inflation.
Information about the Social Security benefits of people from your age group can be of great use in making smart decisions. If you are about to retire or have a few more years ahead of you, collecting the fees you can use as a reference will be perfect for you.
However, the averages are not the only factor that affects the amount you receive every month. You can increase the benefits significantly when you decide and when you claim them.
