What to Expect from Social Security at Your Full Retirement Age of 67
If you’re planning ahead for retirement and wondering how much social security will I get at 67, it’s important to understand how Social Security benefits work and what factors determine the exact amount you receive. Your benefit amount at 67 depends on your lifetime earnings, when you choose to start claiming, and the rules set by the Social Security Administration (SSA) — the very agency that pays these benefits.
Here’s what you need to know as of February 2026 about Social Security retirement benefits, especially if you want to claim your payments at age 67.
Start Here: What “Full Retirement Age” Means
In the U.S., Social Security retirement benefits are calculated differently depending on when you claim them.
- For Americans born in 1960 or later, the full retirement age (FRA) — when you can get 100% of your earned Social Security benefit — is 67 years old.
- You can begin claiming benefits as early as age 62, but doing so permanently reduces your monthly payment.
- If you wait past 67 — up to age 70 — your monthly benefit continues to increase.
Understanding this age difference is crucial because the age you choose affects how much money you will actually receive each month.
How Your Social Security Benefit Is Calculated
The Social Security Administration determines your retirement benefit based on a few key pieces of information:
- Your 35 Highest-Earning Years
SSA looks at your top 35 years of earnings, adjusted for inflation. The more you earned (and paid Social Security taxes) during those years, the higher your benefit will be. - Your Birthdate
If you were born in 1960 or after, your FRA is 67, which means that’s when you qualify for your full benefit amount. - When You Choose to Claim
Claiming early (before 67) permanently lowers your monthly benefit. Waiting past 67 increases your benefit up to age 70.
Estimated Social Security Amount at Age 67
While your actual benefit will depend on your specific earnings history, there are some average figures to give you context:
- The average monthly Social Security benefit for retirees who claim at about age 67 was around $2,163 per month — or about $25,956 per year — based on recent data.
- Men’s average monthly benefit at age 67 was higher (about $2,393), while women’s was lower (around $1,915).
- Other estimates calculate that the average retiree might receive around $2,573 per month if they claimed benefits at 67 — assuming average lifetime earnings.
These figures are averages; your individual benefit may be significantly higher or lower.
Early vs. Full vs. Delayed Retirement Benefits
🕰️ Claiming Benefits Early (Before Age 67)
If you claim Social Security at age 62 — the earliest possible age — your monthly retirement benefit is permanently reduced:
- Claiming at 62 could lower your monthly payment by up to about 30% compared to your full benefit if FRA is 67.
- That means if your full benefit at 67 would be, say, $2,000 per month, you might receive around $1,400 per month at 62.
👉 Consider carefully whether your health, savings, and income needs make early claiming worth it.
💯 Claiming at Full Retirement Age (67)
At age 67, you can receive 100% of your earned benefit. This is the main goal for many retirees:
- You won’t face a reduction due to early claiming.
- You also won’t get the delayed retirement credits that accrue after age 67, but you lock in your full base benefit.
This is a popular choice for people who want a balance between higher monthly benefits and starting payments relatively soon.
📈 Delaying Benefits (Ages 68–70)
Waiting past age 67 — up to age 70 — means your monthly benefit increases:
- For each year you delay past your FRA, your benefit goes up by a certain percentage each month. By age 70, you could be receiving about 124% of your full benefit.
- Those delayed credits stop at age 70; waiting longer won’t increase your monthly amount.
So, if your full benefit at 67 was $2,000 per month, waiting until 70 might push your monthly benefit closer to $2,480 or more.
Other Factors That Can Affect Your Benefit Amount
💼 Continued Work Before Retirement
If you continue working and earning higher wages later in life — especially in your 60s — those years can increase your average earnings calculation and potentially raise your benefit amount.
💙 Spousal or Survivor Benefits
If you are married or were married in the past, you could be eligible for spousal or survivor benefits that might raise your monthly income, based on your spouse’s earnings record.
💰 Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA)
Each year, Social Security typically adjusts benefits for inflation. For 2026, beneficiaries saw roughly a 2.8% increase compared to the prior year.
This COLA increase helps protect your benefit amount against rising living costs.
Simple Ways to Estimate Your Social Security at 67
You can get a personalized estimate of your Social Security benefit by using online tools:
- The SSA’s Quick Calculator provides rough estimates based on your earnings.
- The SSA’s Online Benefits Calculator gives a detailed projection if you enter your lifetime earnings.
- Independent calculators from financial planning sites also help estimate your benefit based on claiming age.
These tools can help you plan whether claiming at 67 makes sense for your retirement income goals.
Maximizing Your Retirement Income
Here are key strategies retirees use to make the most of Social Security:
- Work longer: Earning higher wages in your later career can increase your benefit.
- Delay claiming until at least FRA: This gives you your full benefit amount.
- Consider spousal benefits: If eligible, these can add to your monthly total.
- Balance income and need: For some people, starting benefits earlier while also drawing from savings makes retirement more comfortable.
Knowing your options helps you choose the best path for your personal situation.
Thinking about your retirement future and how much Social Security you’ll receive at age 67 isn’t just smart — it’s essential. What questions do you still have about maximizing your benefits? Share your thoughts below!