Social Security Retirement Benefits
Last updated June 2025
Social Security retirement benefits provide monthly income to workers who have paid into the system through payroll taxes over their careers. The program is administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). How much you receive depends on your lifetime earnings and the age at which you begin collecting.
Who is eligible?
You generally need 40 work credits — about 10 years of work — to qualify for retirement benefits. You can earn up to four credits per year. Your benefit amount is based on your 35 highest-earning years, adjusted for inflation. Even if you have not worked enough yourself, you may qualify for spousal or survivor benefits based on a spouse's record.
When can you start collecting?
You can claim retirement benefits as early as age 62, but your monthly amount is permanently reduced. Your full retirement age is 67 for people born in 1960 or later. If you wait beyond full retirement age, your benefit grows through delayed retirement credits until age 70, after which there is no additional increase.
How much can you receive?
Your benefit depends on your earnings history. In 2025, the maximum monthly benefit for a worker retiring at full retirement age is $4,018, while someone who delays until age 70 can receive a larger amount. Benefits are adjusted annually for inflation through the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), which was 2.5% for 2025.
How to apply
You can apply online up to four months before you want benefits to begin, by phone, or at a local Social Security office. Create a free my Social Security account to view your earnings record and estimated benefits. Apply at the official source: SSA.gov/retirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many work credits do I need for Social Security retirement?
You generally need 40 credits, which is about 10 years of work. You can earn up to four credits each year based on your earnings.
What is the full retirement age?
For people born in 1960 or later, full retirement age is 67. Claiming earlier (as early as 62) permanently reduces your monthly benefit, while waiting up to age 70 increases it.
What is the maximum Social Security benefit in 2025?
In 2025, the maximum monthly benefit for someone retiring at full retirement age is $4,018. Delaying until age 70 can produce an even higher monthly amount.
Can I work while collecting Social Security?
Yes, but if you are below full retirement age and earn above an annual limit, some benefits may be temporarily withheld. Once you reach full retirement age, there is no earnings limit and withheld amounts are credited back over time.
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