Typical full‑retirement‑age beneficiaries are now seeing about $2,102 each month, while the richest payments top $5,108 for those who wait until 70.
Retirees who hit full retirement age (FRA) this year have good news: the average monthly Social Security benefit at age 67 sits at $2,101.74, according to the latest figures released in June 2025. That number is roughly 5 percent higher than the overall retiree average and reflects both the 2.5 percent cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) and the growing share of workers who delay claiming until FRA.
How the 2025 average check at age 67 compares with other retirement ages and recent COLA boosts
Wondering how your payment stacks up? At 67, today’s retirees pocket about $2,326 if they are men and $1,862 if they are women, still outpacing the system‑wide average of $2,002 reported for all retired workers in May 2025. By contrast, new claimants at the early age of 62 typically receive checks in the $1,300–$1,800 range, while those delaying to age 70 see averages north of $2,900.
These figures underscore the power of both COLA and delayed retirement credits. After three sizable COLAs (8.7 % in 2023, 3.2 % in 2024 and 2.5 % this year), even “middle‑of‑the‑road” recipients are finally crossing the psychologically important $2,000 threshold.
Maximum monthly benefits in 2025 show a dramatic jump between early and late retirement decisions
Before you file, check the ceiling. The Social Security Administration caps first‑time benefits well above the averages shown above. Here is the official 2025 schedule:
| Claiming age | Maximum initial monthly benefit* |
|---|---|
| 62 (earliest) | $2,831 |
| 66/67 (full retirement age) | $4,018 |
| 70 (latest) | $5,108 |
*Assumes maximum taxable earnings every year of a 43‑year career.
That $5,108 figure beats the earliest‑age maximum by $2,277—money that can make or break a fixed‑income budget. However, waiting is not for everyone. Ask yourself: will higher checks outweigh the months of benefits you give up.
Still debating? Try the SSA’s online calculator or visit a local office to model different scenarios. For 2025, the “typical” 67‑year‑old retiree can count on about $2,102 a month, but the spread between minimum and maximum checks remains vast. First estimate your own numbers, then decide whether an earlier check today—or a bigger one tomorrow—best fits your retirement plan.