The standard retirement age for Americans has been 65 or 67 for many years, however, as the Social Security system is about to undergo changes, the idea of “full retirement age” is changing significantly. Changes that might delay the time when workers can receive full Social Security payments are being considered by or already implemented by lawmakers.
As America struggles with the financial realities of a longer living population and a strained SSTF, in 2025, the age of 65 is no longer considered FRA for Social Security payments, but many Americans still view it as the standard retirement milestone. Every future retiree must carefully consider this when making plans, as claiming Social Security at age 65 may result in permanently lower payments.
Social Security payment of $1,611 for 65-year-olds
Your monthly Social Security payment may be more or lower depending on when you apply for benefits. The standard Full Retirement Age (FRA) was 65 years old. However, in 2025, you must be at least 66 years and 10 months old to be eligible for FRA. So, if you file this year at age 65, your monthly payments will be lowered. 67 will be the Full Retirement Age for certain American workers, actually, this is the age limit for anyone born in 1960 or after.
Seniors 65 and older will not get the maximum monthly payouts due to this Social Security restriction. Only individuals who have worked in SSA-covered jobs for 35 years, filed at age 70, and earned contributions and benefits during that time could get USD 5,108 in July, more than the average amount at 65. The average payment for those aged 65 and above is $1,611 and it will be for all recipients, regardless of gender but you may also find out the average amount by the beneficiary’s gender.
Full Retirement Age in 2025
You must check the below table as FRA depends on your birth year:
| Birth Year | Full Retirement Age (FRA) |
|---|---|
| 1959 | 66 years and 10 months |
| 1960 or later | 67 years |
FRA will be reached around two years after your 65th birthday if you were born in 1959. Filing when you are 65 means filing a benefit claim 22 months early, comes with a cost.
Average Monthly Social Security Payments at Age 65
According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), the average monthly payment for a 65-year-old was $1,611 as of December 2024. The woman recipient received less, USD 1,452, while men received little more, that is USD 1,784. Realizing that this is only the average is important as per SSA, those in the 90th percentile, the amount rises to USD 2780 for both for those between the ages of 60 and 69.
Individuals from upper social classes can reasonably be expected to receive about that amount. Depending on the age at which the claim was made, the SSA also states that the maximum amount for a 65-year-old in 2025 is little over $2,831.
| Recipient | Avg. Monthly Benefit |
|---|---|
| All (age 65) | $1,611 |
| Men (age 65) | $1,784 |
| Women (age 65) | $1,452 |
When can 65 year olds receive their payment in July?
- There are three possible payment dates for 65-year-olds and other qualified recipients of a different age if they started receiving Social Security payments after April 30, 1997, and are not receiving SSI.
- They may share the paycheck, even if they are 62 or older and on July 23, you may have to wait the longest for their retirement benefit check, because of an executive order requiring all Federal payments to be issued electronically, paper checks are going to end soon.
- However, you should allow up to three mailing days for your Social Security payment.
- Payment processing times may occasionally be a little slower at banks and other financial institutions. So, get in touch with your bank first and after 3 mailing days, if your bank has not received your payment, you can then call SSA.
- So your next payments will be credited on July 9 and July 16 and it will be Wednesday only.
SSA payday eligibility for 65 years old
If you began receiving Social Security after April 30, 1997, your DOB rather than your age determines when you will be paid. On Wednesdays, payments are made as per schedule below:
| Birth Day | Payment Day |
|---|---|
| 1st to 10th | On Wednesday July 9 |
| 11th to 20th | On Wednesday July 16 |
| 21st to 31st | On Wednesday July 23 |
How to get the Maximum Benefit in July 2025
- Depending on the retirement age, the upper limit varies and those who decide to retire before the age of 62 are subject to a limit and so max. monthly benefit will be $2,831.
- Waiting until FRA raises the limit for the recipient and for many Americans, this is age 67 and the monthly maximum benefit will be $4,018.
- Those who delay retiring until age 70 will receive the most payout. The maximum payment that these recipients can get each month is $5,108.
So when should i file a claim?
When to file for Social Security is a personal choice, so you must check your situation and think about your financial condition. Delaying benefit claims until age 67 may be a smart move for upper class Americans to maximize payments.
It may be beneficial delaying filing if you can rely on retirement investments or savings. To make a sound decision if you’re unsure about when to file a claim, it might be beneficial to consult with a reliable financial expert.
| Official Website | Click Here |
| Homepage | BlackSea-Commission.org |
