Millions of people in the United States plan their retirement around one key piece of information: how much they will get from Social Security each month. For many, this benefit is their main source of income after they stop working. Therefore, knowing how the payment is calculated and what factors influence its amount is key to making the right decision, especially when it comes to reaching the maximum amount available.
In 2025, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has confirmed that the highest amount a retiree can receive is $5,108 per month. However, not all beneficiaries are eligible for this amount. Only a specific group of people are able to collect this amount, and it all depends on when they applied for retirement and under what conditions they did so.
The timing of the decision to apply for benefits is one of the factors that has the greatest impact on the final calculation. The longer you delay collection after reaching the minimum age, the higher the monthly amount will be. But it’s not just a matter of waiting: you also need an extensive work history with high earnings to reach that maximum.
What is the exact age to get $5,108 per month?
The SSA has confirmed that the only way to access the maximum payment of $5,108 per month is to delay retirement until age 70. This decision allows you to accumulate an additional percentage on top of the base amount that would correspond to age 67, which is the full retirement age for most workers born after 1960.
Delaying retirement collection beyond age 67 generates what are known as delayed retirement credits, a monthly increase that accumulates until reaching that cap at age 70. After that age, no more bonuses are added, so it is considered the optimal point for those who want to maximize their check.
However, reaching that figure does not only depend on age. It is also necessary to have worked for at least 35 years and to have contributed during that time with high salaries. Social Security calculates the average of the 35 years with the highest income adjusted for inflation, so an irregular work history or low wages will reduce the final amount, even if retirement is delayed.
What happens if I retire early?
Applying for retirement before reaching full age, for example at 62, is completely legal, but it means a permanent reduction in your monthly payment. That reduction can be as much as 30% if you apply at the earliest opportunity, and it cannot be reversed once the benefit is approved.
In 2025, the average early retirement benefit is around $2,710 per month, well below the $5,108 that a worker who has delayed their application until age 70 can get.
Therefore, if the goal is to get the highest possible Social Security check, it is not enough to just wait. You must meet three key conditions:
- Have worked for at least 35 years
- Have had high and stable income during that time
- Wait until age 70 to apply for retirement
Only those who meet these requirements will be eligible for the maximum amount. For all other beneficiaries, the amount will be lower, although it will continue to be a fundamental source of help during retirement.
