Wouldn’t you like to receive a Social Security payment that is more than average in 2025? To do so, you must meet some essential conditions. These requirements are a must, so there is no way you can avoid them. It is true that you can start receiving them as early as the age of 62 and it has both advantages and disadvantages.
However, if you happen to have a disability and it prevents you from working for over a year, you cannot wait for the largest Social Security benefits. Instead, you should apply for SSDI, also known as Disability Insurance in the United States. Generally, to get retirement payments, you must have earned 40 work credits at least.
Maximum Social Security benefit payments at the age of 62
The highest Social Security benefits in retirement if you are a 62-year-old is $2,831 in 2025. Though this will be only if you:
- filed for retirement benefits at 62
- earned the contribution and benefit base or taxable maximum for about 35 years or more
- have also worked all those years (35 ate least)
- the jobs you have must have paid Social Security taxes, so they are covered by SSA
Is it worth getting retirement benefits at 62? It will depend on your personal and financial situation. It can give you a really large check 62 but the requirements are challenging. Bear in mind that filing at 62 reduces your check by 30%.
Maximum Social Security checks at 70 or at Full Retirement Age (FRA)
The largest benefit payment in retirement is for eligible 70-year-olds who meet all the requirements. In fact, they can receive as much as $5,108 in 2025. This is the new amount after the 2025 COLA increase.
The requirements to get $5,108 are the same as for the $2,831 at 62 but you must file at 70 instead. If you file at Full Retirement Age, you can get up to $4,018 in 2025.
Filing at Full Retirement Age is the only way American workers can get 100% of their Social Security checks. If you cannot earn so much money, delay filing as much as you can, work for at least 35 years and wait until you are 70 to get delayed credits.