The amount you can earn on Social Security depends on your age, when you start claiming benefits, and your lifetime earnings.
Maximum Social Security Benefit in 2025
- If you retire at full retirement age (around 66-67), the maximum monthly benefit is $4,018.
- If you delay claiming benefits until age 70 , the maximum monthly benefit increases to $5,108.
- If you claim early at age 62 , the maximum benefit is reduced to about $2,831 per month
These maximum amounts apply only to lifelong high earners who have paid Social Security taxes on the maximum taxable earnings for at least 35 years
Average Benefits
- The average monthly Social Security benefit for retired workers in 2025 is about $1,976.
- Married couples both receiving benefits average about $3,089 per month
Earnings Limits While Receiving Benefits
If you are under full retirement age and receiving Social Security benefits, there are earnings limits before your benefits are reduced:
- In 2025, you can earn up to $23,400 without penalty.
- If you earn more than this, Social Security deducts $1 from your benefits for every $2 earned over the limit.
- In the year you reach full retirement age, the limit is higher (about $59,520), and the deduction is $1 for every $3 over the limit.
- After reaching full retirement age, there is no limit on how much you can earn while receiving benefits
How Benefits Are Calculated
Your Social Security benefit is calculated based on your highest 35 years of earnings, indexed for inflation. The more you earn and the longer you delay claiming benefits (up to age 70), the higher your monthly benefit will be
. Summary:
Scenario| Monthly Benefit (2025)| Notes
---|---|---
Early retirement (age 62)| $2,831| Reduced benefit
Full retirement age (66-67)| $4,018| Maximum for full retirement age
Delayed retirement (age 70)| $5,108| Maximum benefit with delayed claiming
Average retired worker| $1,976| Typical benefit amount
Earnings limit if under full age| $23,400/year| Earnings above this reduce
benefits
Earnings limit year of full age| $59,520/year| Reduced penalty on earnings
After full retirement age| No limit| No reduction regardless of earnings
This means your Social Security income can range from under $2,000 per month on average to over $5,000 per month if you qualify for the maximum and delay claiming until age 70
