The Social Security Administration (SSA) is responsible for making benefit payments. According to current information, the maximum Social Security benefit in 2025 is $5,108 per month, but not everyone will receive that amount for various reasons. Remember that payments are made throughout the month based on your birthdate. The SSA guarantees that electronic deposits are credited the same day, although physical checks may take a few days to arrive. Also, remember that the full retirement age (FRA), which is the age at which you can receive 100% of your benefit payment, is 67 for those born in 1960 or later.
SSA: applying at age 62 can reduce the total benefit by up to 30%
According to the Social Security Administration’s schedule, in October 2025, those born between the 1st and 10th of the month received their payments on Wednesday, October 8th, while those born between the 11th and 20th received them during the second half of the month. Similarly, beneficiaries born between the 21st and 31st received their payments on the 22nd of the month. It is important to keep in mind that knowing when to apply for benefits is crucial because the amount received will vary. In this regard, applying at age 62 can reduce the total benefit by up to 30%, which means losing hundreds of dollars each month during retirement.
Those who postpone retirement until age 70 can receive $5,108 per month
We’re talking about carefully considering retirement age, because if you retire too early, the changes are significant, while those who postpone retirement until age 70 can receive $5,108 per month. Delaying retirement until this age allows Social Security to provide an increase of approximately 8% for each additional year worked beyond retirement age. Of course, it’s understandable that many people don’t want to wait that long, because even though they end up earning more money, for many, the improved quality of life that comes from leaving a demanding job is worth more than the extra 8%.
Payments based on the 35 highest-earning years of the beneficiary’s working life
In any case, those who retire early at age 62 receive up to $2,831. In addition, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients receive fixed amounts of $967 for individuals and $1,450 for couples. And by the way, it’s important to note that for this fiscal year, the SSA set the maximum monthly benefit at $4,018 for those who retire at full age (66 or 67).
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments are also distributed monthly, and when a payment date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, they are moved up to ensure delivery. Payment schedules are generally consistent and quite punctual. Regarding the calculation of SSA income compared to FRA amounts, Social Security calculates payments based on the 35 highest-earning years of the beneficiary’s working life. If the individual has worked fewer years than claimed, the remaining years are considered as zero income, and therefore, the final pension will not be particularly high. Continuing to work after age 60 can help replace years of lower earnings, thus increasing the final pension amount.
The decision ultimately rests with each individual, based on their needs
Therefore, to the question of whether it’s possible to receive the maximum amount of $5,108 per month, the answer is yes. And a person with a base benefit of $4,018 at age 67 can increase their monthly payment to the aforementioned maximum by waiting until age 70. In other words, continuing to work a few more years, if health permits, can be beneficial. However, if health is an obstacle, exhaustion, or the desire to be independent of a schedule or boss outweighs the financial considerations, it’s best to retire earlier and enjoy more years of life. The decision ultimately rests with each individual, based on their needs.
