Those retiring in 2025 at age 62 can earn a maximum possible benefit of $2,910 per month in 2026. If you file at age 67, the maximum benefit next year will be $4,156 per month. To earn the highest possible payment of $5,251 per month, you'll need to wait until age 70 to begin claiming.

New Social Security rules may shrink monthly budgets for fixed-income retirees—learn how these changes could affect your financial stability.

A 2.8% Social Security cost-of-living adjustment will push up the maximum full retirement benefit in 2026. Plus, some beneficiaries may face earnings limits.

Qualifying workers who are retiring at 62 in 2025 can get a maximum of $2,910 per month, or $34,920 per year. Those who wait until they turn 70 in 2026 to claim their benefit can get a maximum of about $5,251 per month, or $63,012 annually. As you can see, the age at which you choose to start taking Social Security can make a big difference.

Social Security benefits are a critical source of income for many people. Unfortunately, some of the individuals who are reliant on benefits may soon find themselves facing one of the biggest benefit cuts in history.

Nationally, about 71 million people receive Social Security benefits and about 7.5 million receive SSI, but some people do receive both.

WASHINGTON -- Millions who receive Social Security benefits are getting a raise next year. After a delay in the announcement, the Social Security Administration revealed the annual cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) for beneficiaries for 2026 is 2.8%

When the Social Security Administration announced that beneficiaries will be getting a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 2026, some seniors may have been pretty happy to hear that news. In 2025, Social Security benefits only rose by 2.5%. So a 2.8% raise is already an improvement.