Retirees: This Is the Average Social Security Benefit at Ages 62, 67, and 70

By Katie Brockman – Feb 23, 2026 at 8:00AM ESTKey PointsThe age at which you file for Social Security will affect the size of your checks for the rest of your life.Claiming earlier will reduce your payments, while delaying will earn you more per month.There's no one-size-fits-all time to claim, but it's important to understand how your age affects your payments.These 10 Stocks Could Mint the Next Wave of Millionaires ›The average retiree collects $851 more per month at age 70 than at 62.Social Security benefits go a long way for millions of retirees, lifting around 16 million adults age 65 and older out of poverty, according to 2023 data from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The age at which you begin taking benefits will have an enormous impact on the size of your checks, which can make or break retirement for some older adults. Here's exactly what the average retiree collects at various ages from 62 to 70. The average benefit by age In most cases, you can begin taking retirement benefits as early as age 62. But to receive the full amount you're entitled to based on your work history, you'll need to wait until your full retirement age -- which is between ages 66 and 67, depending on your birth year. Image source: The Motley Fool. Waiting a few more years and claiming at age 70 will earn you even larger checks. While filing at 62 will shrink your benefit by up to 30% compared to what you'd receive at your full retirement age, claiming at 70 will earn you a bonus of up to 32% on top of your full benefit. Everyone's benefit will differ slightly, as it's based on your career earnings and the number of years you've worked. But this is what the average retiree receives each month by age, according to December 2025 data from the Social Security Administration: AgeAverage Monthly Benefit Amount62$1,42463$1,43664$1,47865$1,60766$1,80767$2,01768$2,05369$2,09770$2,275 Data source: Social Security Administration. The average retired worker collects around $851 more per month at age 70 than at 62, adding up to roughly $10,212 per year. There's no single best age to take Social Security, as the right choice will depend on your specific circumstances and goals. If you have a solid nest egg, filing earlier can help you enjoy a longer retirement. But if you're looking to maximize your monthly income, delaying claiming could boost your benefit amount by thousands of dollars per year.Read NextFeb 23, 2026 •By Maurie BackmanIn February, Retirees Should Double-Check These Medicare DeadlinesFeb 23, 2026 •By Selena MaranjianIs Your Retirement Nest Egg Target of $2 Million "Chump Change"?

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