Understanding Your Social Security Benefit at Full Retirement Age
When planning for retirement, many Americans ask: how much social security will I get at 67? In 2026, that question carries real financial weight for people born in 1960 or later, because age 67 is now the full retirement age for that group — the point at which you receive your maximum baseline monthly benefit from Social Security.
This article breaks down what retirees can expect from Social Security in 2026, explains how benefits are calculated, and helps you prepare for what’s ahead in your golden years.
Table of Contents
What Full Retirement Age Means and Why It Matters
Your “full retirement age” (FRA) is when Social Security will pay you your full retirement benefit — not reduced for early claiming and not increased for delayed claiming.
For anyone born in 1960 or after, the full retirement age is 67 years old. Reaching FRA means you are eligible for 100% of your calculated benefit based on your lifetime earnings, which financially matters more than ever in this economic climate.
This retirement age is separate from the age of eligibility for Medicare, which remains 65, but it is the key milestone for deciding when to take Social Security.
Social Security Benefit Amounts in 2026
Average Monthly Benefits
In 2026, Social Security retirement benefits received a cost-of-living boost. As a result:
- The average monthly benefit paid to retirees is over $2,070 per month.
- This reflects an increase compared with benefits in prior years and helps beneficiaries keep up with inflation.
- The typical annual payout is roughly $24,900, though individuals’ benefits will vary widely.
These numbers reflect current general data on retiree payments and are influenced by how long a person worked and how much they earned over their career.
Maximum Possible Monthly Benefits
For workers with high lifetime earnings who claim at the right time:
- The maximum Social Security benefit available at your full retirement age (67) is now just over $4,150 per month in 2026.
- If you delay claiming benefits past 67, up to age 70, that maximum can climb further. Some estimates show top amounts above $5,100 per month for people who delay until age 70 and earned at or above the taxable maximum throughout their careers.
Keep in mind this highest level of benefit is achieved only by a small percentage of retirees with long, high-income work histories.
How Social Security Figures Your Monthly Benefit
Your monthly Social Security benefit isn’t a flat amount — it’s a formula based on your personal earnings and work history:
- Social Security calculates your benefit based on your 35 highest-earning years, adjusted for inflation.
- If you worked fewer than 35 years, zeros are factored into the calculation and reduce your benefit.
- The result is called your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) — what you receive at your full retirement age.
If you start benefits before age 67, your benefit is reduced. Waiting beyond age 67 increases your benefit up to age 70 due to delayed retirement credits.
Impact of Claiming Age on Your Benefit
Claiming Early (Before 67)
You can begin receiving benefits as early as age 62, but doing so permanently reduces your monthly payment — potentially by up to about 30% compared with waiting until age 67. For many retirees, that reduction can mean hundreds of dollars less per month in income for life.
Claiming at Full Retirement Age (67)
Waiting until 67 ensures you receive your full baseline benefit — neither reduced nor increased — based on your earnings record. This is the breakeven point that most financial planners use when helping people time their benefits.
Claiming Later (Up to Age 70)
If you wait past age 67 to begin benefits, your monthly payments increase due to delayed retirement credits:
- For each year you delay past FRA, Social Security boosts your benefit.
- Waiting until age 70 can increase your monthly check by over 20% compared with claiming at 67.
This strategy makes a big difference for retirees with a long life expectancy and sufficient savings.
Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) and 2026 Changes
Social Security recipients experienced a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment in 2026, reflecting inflation and aims to help beneficiaries maintain purchasing power as prices rise.
The COLA affects all retirement benefits and translates into higher monthly checks. For many retirees, this adjustment means over $50 more each month, though rising healthcare and housing costs can still outpace the increase.
In addition, the maximum earnings threshold subject to Social Security taxes increased in 2026. This threshold affects how much income is counted toward your benefit calculations.
How Working While Receiving Benefits Affects Your Payments
If you choose to work while you’re collecting benefits and are below full retirement age, Social Security may temporarily reduce your monthly payments:
- In 2026, the annual earnings limit for those under FRA is $24,480.
- For people in the year they reach full retirement age, a separate earnings cap applies before benefits are reduced.
- Once you reach full retirement age, you can earn any amount without affecting your benefit amount.
Understanding the earnings test and limits helps you plan work and retirement income without unintended reductions.
Spousal and Survivor Benefits Can Add to Income
For married couples, Social Security includes spousal and survivor benefit options:
- A spouse who has little or no work history can receive up to 50% of the other spouse’s benefit at full retirement age.
- Survivor benefits may replace the deceased spouse’s full benefit amount if claimed by the surviving partner.
These additional Social Security pathways can significantly impact household retirement income and should be part of any retirement planning conversation.
How to Estimate Your Personal Retirement Benefit
To get a closer estimate of what your monthly benefit will be at age 67 or another claiming age:
- Use online tools that factor in your earnings history, birth year, and planned claiming age.
- These calculators can show you how delaying or accelerating benefits affects your income.
Early estimation helps you tailor retirement strategies, including how much you save outside Social Security to support your lifestyle.
Planning for Retirement with Confidence
Social Security benefits are a central part of retirement income for millions of Americans. Knowing how your benefit is calculated, what age maximizes your payout, and how adjustments like COLA affect your checks helps you plan more effectively.
In 2026, the benefit landscape shows modest increases, shifting age milestones, and ongoing economic pressures that make thoughtful retirement timing all the more important.
As you think about claiming your Social Security benefits, what questions do you have about getting the most from your retirement income? Share your thoughts below and stay informed as you plan for your future.
