If you have turned 70 years old in 2025, this is the moment you should apply for Social Security retirement benefits. Why should you claim these monthly payments once you are no longer 69 years old?
The answer is simple. This is the moment when your Social Security payments stop growing. Therefore, there is no point in carrying on working if what you are looking for is a higher monthly payment.
Maximum Social Security benefit at 70 in 2025
A worker who meets all the requirements can receive from the Administration up to $5,108 at 70. To get so much money, a worker must have worked for 35 years in jobs covered by SSA.
This will not be enough since having a really well-paid job is essential. Only some high earners can achieve it. In fact, only those who have also earned the contribution and benefit base for 35 years can attain it.
The contribution and benefit base is the taxable maximum. In 2025, it is $176,100, up from $168,600 in 2024. Filing is required to get retirement benefits in the United States. So apply at 70 and benefit from delayed credits.
Social Security and delayed Credits at 70
Social Security offers delayed credits to workers who continue working once they reach Full Retirement Age (67 if born after 1960). It gives you 8% extra per year you work after Full Retirement Age.
Hence, if you file at 70, instead of filing at 67, you will get a boost of 24%. Of course, this will only be possible if you are fit and healthy to continue working for 3 more years. Filing at FRA gives you 100% of your benefits so it is also a great choice.
Workers who file for Social Security at 62 will see their benefits reduced. It can be a bite of up to 30%. Thus, it is only advisable to file at 62 if you do not rely on Social Security to make ends meet.