United States · Social Security · Retirement benefits
Maximum Social Security benefit by year.
SSA’s table of initial monthly benefits for a worker who earned the taxable maximum every year since age 22, retiring in January of each year from 1987 to 2027 at ages 62, 65, 66, 67 and 70.
Short answer: A worker with maximum-taxable earnings every year since age 22 who retires in January 2027 receives, according to the Social Security Administration’s benefit examples, $3,094 a month at age 62, $3,666 at 65, $3,883 at 66, $4,188 at 67 and $5,358 at 70. For retirement in January 2026 the initial amounts were $2,969 at 62, $4,207 at 67 and $5,181 at 70, which with the 3.6% cost-of-living increase are paid as $3,076, $4,359 and $5,368 in 2027. The table was read from an Internet Archive copy of the SSA page captured October 27, 2026, because ssa.gov blocks automated readers.
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Maximum initial benefit by retirement year and age
SSA’s table assumes steady earnings at the taxable maximum since age 22 and retirement in January of the year shown. Initial amounts are what the first check would have been; the last column shows what the age-70 benefit from that year is worth in 2027 after every cost-of-living adjustment since. Retirement at 62 is taken at exactly 62 and 1 month, the earliest possible, and carries the largest early-retirement reduction.
| Retiring January | At 62 | At 65 | At 66 | At 67 | At 70 | Age-70 benefit paid in 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | $3,094 | $3,666 | $3,883 | $4,188 | $5,358 | $5,358 |
| 2026 | $2,969 | $3,467 | $3,752 | $4,207 | $5,181 | $5,368 |
| 2025 | $2,831 | $3,374 | $3,795 | $4,043 | $5,108 | $5,440 |
| 2024 | $2,710 | $3,426 | $3,652 | $3,911 | $4,873 | $5,319 |
| 2023 | $2,572 | $3,279 | $3,506 | $3,808 | $4,555 | $5,131 |
| 2022 | $2,364 | $2,993 | $3,240 | $3,568 | $4,194 | $5,136 |
| 2021 | $2,324 | $2,841 | $3,113 | $3,306 | $3,895 | $5,051 |
| 2020 | $2,265 | $2,857 | $3,011 | $3,150 | $3,790 | $4,979 |
| 2019 | $2,209 | $2,757 | $2,861 | $3,106 | $3,770 | $5,031 |
| 2018 | $2,158 | $2,589 | $2,788 | $2,973 | $3,698 | $5,073 |
| 2017 | $2,153 | $2,542 | $2,687 | $2,870 | $3,538 | $4,951 |
| 2016 | $2,102 | $2,491 | $2,639 | $2,891 | $3,576 | $5,019 |
| 2015 | $2,025 | $2,452 | $2,663 | $2,916 | $3,501 | $4,913 |
| 2014 | $1,992 | $2,431 | $2,642 | $2,795 | $3,425 | $4,889 |
| 2013 | $1,923 | $2,414 | $2,533 | $2,780 | $3,350 | $4,854 |
| 2012 | $1,855 | $2,310 | $2,513 | $2,666 | $3,266 | $4,812 |
| 2011 | $1,803 | $2,249 | $2,366 | $2,555 | $3,193 | $4,873 |
| 2010 | $1,820 | $2,191 | $2,346 | $2,532 | $3,119 | $4,761 |
| 2009 | $1,769 | $2,172 | $2,323 | $2,539 | $3,054 | $4,661 |
| 2008 | $1,682 | $2,030 | $2,212 | $2,432 | $2,794 | $4,512 |
| 2007 | $1,598 | $1,998 | $2,194 | $2,348 | $2,672 | $4,415 |
| 2006 | $1,530 | $1,961 | $2,108 | $2,223 | $2,420 | $4,130 |
| 2005 | $1,452 | $1,874 | $1,982 | $2,088 | $2,252 | $4,000 |
| 2004 | $1,422 | $1,784 | $1,894 | $1,989 | $2,111 | $3,851 |
| 2003 | $1,412 | $1,721 | $1,814 | $1,836 | $2,045 | $3,809 |
| 2002 | $1,382 | $1,660 | $1,692 | $1,750 | $1,988 | $3,754 |
| 2001 | $1,314 | $1,538 | $1,593 | $1,657 | $1,879 | $3,640 |
| 2000 | $1,248 | $1,435 | $1,502 | $1,585 | $1,752 | $3,514 |
| 1999 | $1,191 | $1,373 | $1,451 | $1,544 | $1,684 | $3,461 |
| 1998 | $1,117 | $1,342 | $1,437 | $1,477 | $1,648 | $3,430 |
| 1997 | $1,056 | $1,326 | $1,364 | $1,412 | $1,609 | $3,421 |
| 1996 | $1,006 | $1,248 | $1,300 | $1,352 | $1,501 | $3,283 |
| 1995 | $972 | $1,199 | $1,248 | $1,319 | $1,474 | $3,307 |
| 1994 | $954 | $1,147 | $1,219 | $1,276 | $1,358 | $3,133 |
| 1993 | $899 | $1,128 | $1,181 | $1,203 | $1,289 | $3,050 |
| 1992 | $860 | $1,088 | $1,113 | $1,175 | $1,231 | $3,001 |
| 1991 | $815 | $1,022 | $1,079 | $1,084 | $1,163 | $2,941 |
| 1990 | $780 | $975 | $984 | $998 | $1,085 | $2,890 |
| 1989 | $739 | $899 | $911 | $936 | $1,063 | $2,965 |
| 1988 | $691 | $838 | $860 | $880 | $1,080 | $3,133 |
| 1987 | $666 | $789 | $806 | $825 | $1,056 | $3,193 |
Why the ages mean different things in different years
SSA’s footnotes explain the columns. Age 65 was the normal retirement age for people born before 1938, so for retirement in 2003 and later the age-65 benefit is reduced for early retirement. Age 66 is the normal retirement age for people born in 1943 to 1954; those born after 1954 who retire at 66 get a reduced benefit, so from 2021 on the age-66 column is an early-retirement figure. Age 67 is the normal retirement age for people born in 1960 and later, which means 2027 is the first year in which a 67-year-old retiree was born in 1960 and receives exactly the full benefit. Retirement at 70 maximizes delayed retirement credits, which is why it produces the highest ratio of benefit to average indexed monthly earnings in every year.
The 2027 row
For January 2027 the table shows $3,094 at 62, $3,666 at 65, $3,883 at 66, $4,188 at 67 and $5,358 at 70. The age-70 figure is $2,264 a month more than the age-62 figure, a ratio of 1.73 to 1 (derived). These are the maximum benefits a new retiree can receive in 2027; most workers earn less than the taxable maximum for some years and receive less. The 2027 taxable maximum itself is $192,300, on the linked wage base page.
Worked examples
A worker who retired at 70 in January 2026 started at $5,181 a month. After the 3.6% cost-of-living adjustment that benefit is $5,368 in 2027. Retiring at 62 in the same month would have started at $2,969, $2,212 less.
A worker who retired at 62 in January 2017 started at $2,153; ten years of cost-of-living adjustments bring that to $3,013 in 2027. Had the same worker waited until 70 in January 2017, the initial benefit would have been $3,538 and the 2027 amount $4,951.
Method
The table was read on November 11, 2026 from an Internet Archive capture dated October 27, 2026 of SSA’s page Workers with Maximum-Taxable Earnings, because ssa.gov returns an access-denied response to automated readers; the live page is linked below and is the authoritative version. The lookup returns the published initial and 2027 amounts for the year and age chosen; the differences between ages and the 70-to-62 ratio are derived arithmetic. Nothing here estimates your own benefit, which depends on your earnings record.
What this does not cover
- Your own benefit, which requires your earnings history; use the linked claiming-age calculator for an estimate from your own figures.
- Years before 1987, which SSA’s page does not list.
- Spousal, survivor and disability maximums.
- The earnings test, taxation of benefits and Medicare premium deductions.
Figures read from the sources below on November 11, 2026. Last updated November 11, 2026.
Sources
Common mix-ups
-
Often assumedThe maximum Social Security benefit is one number.
What the source saysSSA’s table gives a different maximum for each retirement year and claiming age: for January 2027, $3,094 at 62, $4,188 at 67 and $5,358 at 70. [1]
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Often assumedClaiming at 65 gets the full benefit.
What the source saysSSA’s footnote says that for retirement in 2003 and later the age-65 benefit is reduced for early retirement; the normal retirement age rose to 67 for people born in 1960 and later. [1]
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Often assumedAn older retiree’s maximum stays at the amount they started with.
What the source saysThe table shows the 2010 age-70 maximum of $3,119 is paid as $4,761 in 2027 after cost-of-living adjustments. [1]
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Often assumedRetiring at 70 adds a fixed amount over 62.
What the source saysThe gap depends on the year: the table shows $1,170 at 2027 versus $1,299 for January 2010 retirees, because the 62 and 70 columns use different reductions and credits. [1]
Checked against these sources on .
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum Social Security benefit in 2027?
For a worker with maximum-taxable earnings retiring in January 2027: $3,094 a month at 62, $4,188 at 67 and $5,358 at 70, per SSA’s benefit examples.
What was the maximum Social Security benefit in 2026?
Initial amounts of $2,969 at 62, $4,207 at 67 and $5,181 at 70 for January 2026 retirement, paid as $3,076, $4,359 and $5,368 in 2027 after the cost-of-living adjustment.
Why is the maximum at 70 so much higher than at 62?
Age 62 carries the largest early-retirement reduction and age 70 the maximum delayed retirement credits; SSA says 70 gives the highest ratio of benefit to average indexed monthly earnings.
Who gets the maximum benefit?
Only a worker who earned at or above the taxable maximum in every year since age 22. Most retirees receive less.
Does the age-65 column show a full benefit?
Not since 2003. SSA’s footnote says the age-65 benefit is reduced for early retirement because the normal retirement age rose above 65.
Is the table adjusted for cost-of-living increases?
The initial columns are not; the final column shows the age-70 benefit from each year as paid in 2027 after all COLAs.
Where does this data come from?
SSA’s page Workers with Maximum-Taxable Earnings, read from an Internet Archive capture of October 27, 2026 because ssa.gov blocks automated readers.
Is anything sent to your servers?
No. The lookup runs in your browser.
Not financial or legal advice
This page is general information from an unofficial guide, not financial or legal advice, and it is not an eligibility decision. Amounts come from the agencies named on the date shown; each program applies its own household, income-counting and deduction rules. Use the agency itself, or a qualified professional, before you rely on a figure. Nothing you type is sent anywhere. It runs in your browser.