For many Americans, a comfortable retirement is a major goal, and Social Security benefits are a key part of achieving that.

However, figuring out how much you might receive can be complex.

You have the option to start collecting benefits as early as age 62, but if you wait until your full retirement age of 67, or even longer, your monthly payments could be substantially higher.

In fact, if you delay claiming your benefits until age 70, your monthly income could increase significantly, with the possibility of receiving over $4,000 each month.

You May be Able to Get $4,000 per Month

Social Security retirement benefits are essential for many Americans’ retirement plans, but figuring out how much you’ll get can be complex.

The amount you receive depends on your earnings history and when you start to claim your benefits.

You have the option to start collecting as early as age 62, but if you claim your benefits this early, you’ll get less each month than if you wait.

Waiting until your full retirement age, which is 67 for most, means you won’t see a reduction in your benefits.

For instance, claiming at 62 will reduce your benefits by about 30% compared to waiting until 67.

If you can hold off until you’re 70 to claim them, you’ll get an 8% increase for each year you delay after reaching full retirement age.

How to Get Thousands in Financial Assistance?

When you’re ready to apply, the online application is your friend.

You would need to create an online account, gather up some personal info like your Social Security number and birth certificate, and answer a series of questions about your work history and family.

The whole process usually takes less than an hour, and you can save your progress and come back later if needed.

Tools to Understand How Much You Could Get

Understanding what you’ll get from Social Security is crucial for planning your retirement.

Fortunately, there are tools available that can help you figure out these numbers.

The Social Security Detailed Calculator is particularly useful for estimating your future benefits accurately.

It uses your actual earnings history to provide the most precise forecast.

To use the calculator, you’ll need to enter your annual earnings, anticipated future income, your birthdate, and when you plan to retire.

The calculator then provides estimates of your monthly benefits at various ages when you might start claiming them.

Your Social Security benefits are determined by your earnings history, focusing on the 35 years where you made the most money.

If you haven’t worked for 35 years, any missing years will count as zero and bring down your average earnings.

The Social Security Administration keeps track of your earnings and uses a set formula to calculate your primary insurance amount (PIA).

This figure is key because it decides how much you’ll get from Social Security.

In simple terms, the more you’ve earned throughout your career, the higher your PIA, resulting in larger Social Security payments.

How are People Receiving More Than $4,000 Per Month?

There are some key stats you need to know about your Social Security retirement benefits in 2024.

First off, the maximum Social Security retirement benefit you can get depends on what age you retire at.

If you retire at your full retirement age in 2024, the most you can get is $3,822 per month.

But if you retire early at 62, that max drops to $2,710. And if you delay retirement until 70, you could get up to a whopping $4,873 per month.

What Can You Use Your Retirement Benefits On?

Your Social Security retirement benefits can be used to cover a wide range of expenses, making your later years more comfortable.

Many retirees use their monthly checks to handle basic living costs like housing, utilities, and food.

Additionally, these funds can help pay for healthcare needs, which often increase as you age.

Beyond necessities, Social Security benefits can also support leisure activities and travel, allowing you to enjoy your retirement fully.

Essentially, these benefits serve as a financial foundation, helping you maintain your standard of living and secure your well-being in retirement.

It can be beneficial to get help from a financial advisor during your retirement years.

That’s because an advisor can help a new retiree properly navigation their new financial situation!

Overall

In summary, you can increase your monthly Social Security income by carefully choosing when to start taking your benefits.

You have the option to start as early as age 62, but waiting until your full retirement age—or even until age 70—can greatly boost your payments.

Tools such as the Social Security Detailed Calculator are useful because they give you accurate estimates based on your earnings history.

The secret to getting the most out of your Social Security benefits is to really understand how the system works and plan your retirement timing smartly.

By doing this, you could secure a more comfortable and financially stable retirement.