How much does Social Security pay?

Social Security remains the most dependable income source for millions of Americans in retirement, disability, or survivor situations. 

But how much you receive depends on your earnings record, age at retirement, and the type of benefit you qualify for. 

What Is the Average Social Security Payment in 2025?

According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), the average monthly retirement benefit in 2025 is about $1,915, following the 3.2% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) that took effect in January.

Retired couples who both receive benefits average around $3,230 per month.

Other averages vary by benefit type:

1. Disabled workers: about $1,537 per month
2. Widows and widowers: about $1,750 per month
3. Supplemental Security Income (SSI): about $943 for individuals and $1,415 for couples

SSA adjusts these averages annually to reflect inflation, wage growth, and COLA increases.

These figures come directly from the Social Security 2025 Fact Sheet on SSA.gov.

How Are Social Security Benefits Calculated?

Your Social Security benefit amount is based on your average indexed monthly earnings (AIME) and your primary insurance amount (PIA).

The SSA uses your 35 highest-earning years, adjusts them for inflation, and calculates your AIME.

That AIME is then applied to a three-part formula that sets your PIA, the base amount you’ll receive at full retirement age (FRA).

The 2025 bend points, which determine how your AIME translates into monthly benefits, are:

1. 90% of the first $1,272 of AIME
2. 32% of AIME between $1,272 and $7,671
3. 15% of AIME above $7,671

Your PIA becomes the amount you’d get if you start receiving benefits at your full retirement age, which is between 66 and 67, depending on your birth year.

How Much Can You Get If You Retire at Age 62, 67, or 70?

The age you claim benefits has a major effect on how much Social Security pays you.

If you claim early, your benefit is permanently reduced; if you delay, it increases.

Here’s what you can expect in 2025:

1. At age 62: You’ll receive about 70% to 75% of your full benefit amount.
2. At full retirement age (66–67): You’ll receive 100% of your benefit.
3. At age 70: You’ll receive up to 132% of your full benefit because of delayed retirement credits.

For example, if your full benefit is $2,000 at age 67, claiming at 62 would reduce it to roughly $1,400, while waiting until 70 would raise it to about $2,640.

What Is the Maximum Social Security Benefit in 2025?

The maximum monthly Social Security benefit depends on when you start collecting:

1. At age 62: $2,710
2. At full retirement age: $3,822
3. At age 70: $4,873

To receive the maximum, you must have earned the Social Security maximum taxable income each year for at least 35 years.

In 2025, the Social Security wage base (the maximum income subject to Social Security tax) is $176,400, according to SSA.

How Much Does Social Security Pay to Disabled Workers?

For Americans receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), the amount depends on lifetime average earnings rather than the severity of the disability.

In 2025:

• The average SSDI payment is about $1,537 per month.
• The maximum SSDI benefit is $3,822 per month (the same as the full retirement benefit).

If you also receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), your total may be slightly higher, though SSI is income-based and reduces when you have other earnings.

How Much Does Social Security Pay to Survivors and Spouses?

Survivor and spousal benefits replace a portion of a worker’s benefit when they die or retire.

In 2025:

1. A spouse at full retirement age can receive up to 50% of the worker’s benefit.
2. Widows or widowers can receive between 71.5% and 100% of the deceased worker’s benefit, depending on their age when they start.
3. Children under 18 (or up to 19 if in school) can also receive benefits, usually 75% of the worker’s benefit.

Total family benefits are capped at 150%–180% of the worker’s full benefit amount.

What Factors Can Increase or Reduce Your Social Security Payment?

Several factors affect how much Social Security pays you:

1. Earnings: Higher lifetime income increases your AIME and benefit amount.
2. Claiming age: Early claims reduce payments; delaying boosts them.
3. Taxes: Up to 85% of benefits may be taxable depending on your income.
4. COLA adjustments: Annual cost-of-living increases protect purchasing power.
5. Work after retirement: If you claim before full retirement age and keep working, benefits may be temporarily withheld if your earnings exceed the annual limit ($22,320 in 2025).

How Can You Check Your Estimated Social Security Payment?

You can view your personalized benefit estimate anytime on the Social Security Administration website:

1. Go to SSA.gov/myaccount
2. Sign in or create a “my Social Security” account.
3. Review your Earnings Record and Benefit Estimator to see your projected monthly payment at ages 62, 67, and 70.

This is the most accurate way to know how much Social Security will pay you in 2025 or beyond.