What Is the Average Social Security Check at Age 70?

Social Security benefits at age 70 can vary considerably depending on earnings history and when you started collecting. Among 70-year-old retired workers who had earned delayed retirement credits, the average monthly benefit was $3,157.08 in the latest Social Security Administration data. By comparison, age-70 workers whose benefits were unaffected by either an early-retirement reduction or delayed retirement credits averaged $2,277.34 per month. Knowing the difference can help you put your own Social Security estimate into context and see how claiming age can affect retirement income.

A financial advisor can help you plan how to manage your retirement income in a way that fits your needs.

The Average Social Security Benefit at Age 70

The latest Social Security Administration data separates 70-year-old retired workers according to whether their benefits were affected by delayed retirement credits. In December 2025, 70-year-old workers receiving delayed retirement credits had an average monthly benefit of $3,157.08.¹ Among 70-year-old workers whose benefits were unaffected by either an early-retirement reduction or delayed retirement credits, the average monthly benefit was $2,277.34.

These figures should not be confused with the maximum Social Security benefit. In 2026, a worker who earned the taxable maximum beginning at age 22 and starts benefits at age 70 can receive as much as $5,181 per month. Actual benefits can be much lower depending on a person’s earnings record and claiming history.

SSA has also announced a 3.6% cost of living adjustment (COLA) for 2027.² That adjustment will increase benefits beginning with payments made in January 2027, but it would not be accurate to simply apply the COLA to an older age-70 average and call the result the new average. Future averages depend on the actual people receiving benefits and their individual earnings and claiming records.

What Happens If You Wait Until Age 70 to Claim

If you wait until age 70 to begin receiving Social Security, you can benefit from delayed retirement credits.³ These increase your monthly payment for each month you delay beyond full retirement age, up to age 70.

For people born in 1943 or later, delayed retirement credits equal 8% per year, or two-thirds of 1% per month. Someone whose full retirement age is 67 can therefore receive about 124% of their FRA benefit by waiting until 70, before considering applicable COLAs. No additional delayed retirement credits accrue after age 70.

The latest SSA data show that 70-year-old retired workers receiving delayed retirement credits averaged $3,157.08 per month as of December 2025. However, that group does not necessarily consist only of people who first claimed at exactly age 70. It includes 70-year-olds whose benefits contain delayed retirement credits earned after FRA.

As always, individual and spousal benefit amounts may differ based on your earnings record and the exact timing of your claim.

Why Claiming at 70 Can Maximize Your Benefit

A senior couple looking up their Social Security benefits.

Delaying your Social Security benefits until age 70 can result in a significantly higher monthly payment. This is thanks to what the Social Security Administration calls delayed retirement credits. For people born in 1943 or later, benefits increase by 8% for each full year of delay after FRA, with credits accumulating monthly until age 70.

If your full retirement age is 67, waiting until 70 allows you to collect about 124% of your full benefit amount. That makes age 70 the point at which you can maximize your retirement benefit based solely on claiming age. Continuing to work after 70 could still increase your benefit if new earnings replace a lower year in your highest 35 years, but simply delaying the claim beyond 70 does not earn additional delayed retirement credits.

A larger monthly benefit does not necessarily mean waiting until 70 will maximize your total lifetime Social Security income. Someone who claims earlier receives smaller payments for more years. Health, longevity, cash-flow needs, other retirement income and potential survivor benefits can all affect the trade-off.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What If I Started Claiming Social Security Before Age 70?

If you claimed benefits at 68 or 69, you’re still receiving an increased monthly amount compared to someone who claimed at full retirement age or earlier. However, your benefit won’t be as high as it would have been if you had waited until age 70. The earlier you started after FRA, the smaller the increase, but you still benefited from delayed retirement credits.

Are Social Security Benefits Taxable at Age 70?

Yes, Social Security benefits can be taxable at any age, including 70, depending on your income. For federal taxes, “combined income” generally consists of adjusted gross income, tax-exempt interest and one-half of your Social Security benefits. Individuals with combined income above $25,000 and married couples filing jointly above $32,000 may have part of their benefits included in taxable income, with up to 85% potentially taxable at higher income levels. This does not mean the benefits are taxed at an 85% tax rate.

What Happens if I Start Taking Social Security After 70?

There is generally no advantage to delaying Social Security retirement benefits beyond age 70 solely to increase your monthly payment. Delayed retirement credits stop at 70, so waiting until 71 or later does not produce additional credits.

How much could you receive from Social Security in retirement? Use SmartAsset’s Social Security Calculator to estimate your future benefits.

Calculate your estimated annual Social Security benefits based on your birth year, current annual income and desired benefit election age.

Estimated annual Social Security benefit starting at age 67:

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Estimated monthly Social Security benefit starting at age 67:

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About This Calculator

Use this calculator to estimate your annual Social Security retirement benefit based on the information you enter and the assumptions described below. Social Security generally calculates retirement benefits using your highest 35 years of covered earnings, adjusted to reflect changes in average wages, and then applies a formula to determine your benefit at full retirement age. The subsequent benefit amount is adjusted based on the age you begin receiving benefits.

This calculator does not access your official Social Security earnings record. It estimates an earnings history from the information you enter and therefore may produce a different result from your official Social Security estimate.

Assumptions

Annual Income: Because the calculator does not use your complete earnings record, it estimates past and future covered earnings using the inflation rate entered. This is a simplifying projection assumption.

Indexed Earnings: The calculator uses Social Security Administration Average Wage Index data as part of its estimated benefit calculation.

Working Years: This calculator assumes 35 years of covered earnings by your selected claiming age. Actual SSA calculations generally use your highest 35 years of covered earnings, and years without earnings may count as zeros.

Benefits After Election: For projection purposes, the calculator increases estimated benefits after claiming by the inflation rate entered. Actual Social Security cost-of-living adjustments are determined separately under federal law and may differ.

SmartAsset.com is not intended to provide legal advice, tax advice, accounting advice or financial advice (Other than referring users to third party advisers registered or chartered as fiduciaries (“Adviser(s)”) with a regulatory body in the United States). Articles, opinions, and tools are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. The Social Security calculator is meant to demonstrate different potential scenarios to consider, and is not intended to provide definitive answers to anyone’s financial situation. We always suggest that you consult your accountant, tax, legal or financial advisor concerning your individual situation. This calculator does not access your official Social Security earnings record, and actual benefits may differ from the estimates shown.

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Bottom Line

A couple reviewing their retirement portfolio.

There is no single Social Security check that everyone should expect at age 70. Your payment depends on your earnings history and when you claimed. In the latest SSA data, 70-year-old retired workers receiving delayed retirement credits averaged $3,157.08 per month, while those whose benefits were unaffected by early or delayed claiming adjustments averaged $2,277.34. Waiting until age 70 produces the largest monthly retirement benefit available based on claiming age, but it does not necessarily maximize lifetime benefits for everyone. Health, longevity, other retirement income, taxes and potential survivor benefits can all influence when it makes sense to claim.

Retirement Planning Tips

A financial advisor can help you create a financial plan to make your nest egg last. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
Required minimum distributions from tax-deferred retirement accounts can affect your taxes in retirement. SmartAsset’s RMD calculator can help you estimate how much you’ll need to withdraw.

Article Sources

All articles are reviewed and updated by SmartAsset’s fact-checkers for accuracy. Visit our Editorial Policy for more details on our overall journalistic standards.

“Annual Statistical Supplement, 2026.” Social Security Administration, https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/supplement/2026/5b.html.
“Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Information for 2027.” Social Security Administration, https://www.ssa.gov/cola/.
“Early or Late Retirement?” Social Security Administration, https://www.ssa.gov/oact/quickcalc/early_late.html#drcTable.