Here's the maximum monthly Social Security benefit for 2025 — and how you can make it even better

The more money you earn in your lifetime, the higher the monthly Social Security benefit you should be entitled to after you retire. Each year, Social Security sets a maximum monthly benefit it is willing to pay to workers at full retirement age, which is when you are entitled to your full benefit without reduction.

In 2024, the maximum monthly Social Security benefit at full retirement age was $3,822. In 2025 it will rise to $4,018. And if you're a higher earner and reach full retirement age in 2025, you may be eager to file for Social Security, potentially raking in $4,018 a month.

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But with the right strategy, you could secure an even higher monthly Social Security benefit for life. All you have to do is sit still a little more.

It may be worth waiting to register for Social Security

If you were born in 1959, your full retirement age is 66 and 10 months. Depending on when your birthday falls, you may reach full retirement age in 2025. And if you earned the equivalent of Social Security's annual wage cap during your 35 highest-paid years of work, you could be facing $4,018 monthly checks if you sign up for benefits once your full retirement age is officially reached.

However, you should know that for each month you delay your Social Security eligibility past full retirement age, your monthly benefit increases by 2/3 of 1%. Once you turn 70, this benefit can no longer grow. However, if your full retirement age is 66 and 10 months, you have the option to increase your monthly benefit by 25.33% by filing at age 70. And if you're eligible for a monthly pension of $4,018 this year and delay your eligibility until age 70, you can set up Social Security at $5,036 per month instead.

A painless way to enforce a late Social Security claim

Of course, the downside to delaying Social Security is that, aside from having to wait to receive your money, you may have to work longer. Because if you don't get Social Security, you need it some Income to cover your expenses.

However, if you're someone who is eligible for the program's maximum monthly benefit, that means you've earned pretty well throughout your career. If that's the case, you may have a lot of savings built up that you can use to tide you over until your monthly Social Security benefits kick in.

Even if you don't have a large nest egg to fall back on, let's assume you reach full retirement age in 2025 and want to quit your job then. Instead of immediately signing up for Social Security, think about joining the gig economy and see how much income you can earn doing something you love. If you can earn just enough to cover your expenses, you may get the best of both worlds – the ability to retire when you want and defer Social Security to get a higher monthly benefit.

In 2025, the average Social Security recipient will receive $1,976 per month. So if you're looking at $4,018, you're clearly in an even stronger position financially. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't try to delay taking Social Security to get an even bigger monthly paycheck for life.