Overview
- Retirement checks will go out this month in three batches sorted by birth dates.
- The maximum monthly benefit reaches up to $2,969 at age 62 and up to $5,181 at age 70.
- You qualify after earning 40 work credits, and the SSA calculates payments from your 35 highest-earning years.
- Delaying past full retirement age raises your monthly check by about 8% per year until you turn 70.
- Analysts warn full payments could be at risk as early as 2034 unless Congress strengthens program financing.