Last updated October 4. 2025
Are you wondering if your Social Security check magically goes up when you turn 72? You’re not the only one! A lot of retirees and people who are about to retire ask this question, especially since there is a lot of confusing information online. I’m going to explain it to you in simple terms today.
The Quick Answer
No, you don’t get more Social Security when you turn 72. There’s no special boost or increase that happens at this age. However, people in their 72s are currently getting higher benefits than people in many other age groups, and it’s not because they are older.
What 72-Year-Olds Are Actually Getting
According to new research from The Motley Fool, the average Social Security recipient aged 72 gets about $2,786 a month after 2025. That is a lot more than the average amount retired people get, which is only $1,976.
But wait – if there’s no special increase at 72, why are these folks getting more? Let’s dig in!
Why 72-Year-Olds Have Higher Benefits (It’s Not What You Think)
The reason 72-year-olds (and generally those between 70-75) receive higher benefits isn’t because of any magical increase that happens at that age. Instead, it’s due to a few lucky coincidences:
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Perfect Timing: People who are 72 in 2025 were born in 1953, right in the heart of the baby boom (1950-1955). They became adults during a time of tremendous economic growth in America.
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Strong Career Earnings: This age group generally had stronger earnings throughout their working lives compared to generations before them, which means they paid more into Social Security.
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Better healthcare: Medical progress made it possible for them to work longer and contribute more to the system.
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Delayed Claiming: Many in this age group may have waited until their full retirement age (66 for their birth cohort) or even until 70 to maximize their benefits.
As The Motley Fool noted, this narrow band of retirees is collecting bigger checks than both the under-70 and over-80 crowds largely due to these historical and economic factors.
When Social Security Benefits Actually Increase
While there’s no special bump at 72, there ARE specific ages when your benefits can increase:
1. Delayed Retirement Credits (Until Age 70)
If you wait past your full retirement age to claim benefits, Social Security rewards you with delayed retirement credits:
- These increase your benefit by about 8% per year
- They STOP accumulating once you reach age 70
- After 70, there’s no financial benefit to waiting any longer
2. Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs)
Once you’re receiving benefits, you’ll get annual cost-of-living adjustments:
- These happen every January
- They’re based on inflation (measured by the Consumer Price Index)
- Everyone gets the same percentage increase, regardless of age
3. Recalculations Based on Additional Work
If you continue working while receiving benefits:
- Social Security periodically reviews your earnings record
- If your recent earnings are higher than some of the years used in your original calculation, your benefit could increase
- This can happen at any age, not just 72
The Reality of Retirement Income Needs
Even though the average 72-year-old is getting $2,786 monthly from Social Security, that’s still not enough for most retirees to live comfortably. The Social Security Administration reports that in 2023, the average retiree between 65 and 74 had a total income of $72,190 annually (about $6,015 monthly).
This means Social Security typically provides less than half of a retiree’s income needs. The rest comes from:
- Personal savings
- Investment accounts
- Pensions (for those lucky enough to have them)
- Part-time work
How Age Affects Your Social Security Benefits
Your age plays a huge role in determining your benefit amount, but not in the way many people think:
Starting Early (Age 62)
- You can begin collecting as early as 62
- Your benefit will be permanently reduced
- For those born in 1960 or later, claiming at 62 means a 30% reduction
Full Retirement Age (66-67)
- This is when you’re entitled to 100% of your earned benefit
- It varies based on birth year:
- Born 1943-1954: Age 66
- Born 1955-1959: Between 66 and 2 months and 66 and 10 months
- Born 1960 or later: Age 67
Delayed Benefits (Up to Age 70)
- Benefits increase approximately 8% per year you delay past full retirement age
- This stops at age 70 – there’s no advantage to waiting longer
Here’s a simple example using the Social Security Administration’s data for someone with a $1,000 benefit at full retirement age:
| If you claim at: | Born 1943-1954 | Born 1960 or later |
|---|---|---|
| Age 62 | $750 | $700 |
| Full retirement age | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| Age 70 | $1,320 | $1,240 |
Making Smart Decisions About When to Claim
The best age to start collecting Social Security depends on your personal situation. Consider these factors:
- Your health and family longevity – If you expect to live into your late 80s or beyond, waiting usually pays off
- Your financial needs – Sometimes claiming early is necessary despite the reduction
- Your spouse’s benefits – Coordinating claims can maximize household income
- Whether you’re still working – Working before full retirement age while collecting can reduce benefits
What About Required Minimum Distributions?
Some folks confuse Social Security rules with Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) rules for retirement accounts, which traditionally kicked in at 72 (now 73 as of 2023 legislation).
To be super clear: These are completely separate systems! Your RMD age has absolutely zero impact on your Social Security benefits.
Tips to Maximize Your Social Security Benefits
While there’s no special boost at 72, here are ways to get the most from Social Security:
- Work at least 35 years – Social Security uses your 35 highest-earning years to calculate benefits
- Boost your earnings – Higher lifetime earnings = higher benefits
- Verify your earnings record – Check your Social Security statement regularly for errors
- Consider delaying benefits – Each year you wait between full retirement age and 70 adds about 8%
- Coordinate with your spouse – Strategic claiming can maximize household benefits
The Bottom Line
The fact that 72-year-olds currently receive higher-than-average benefits ($2,786 vs. the overall average of $1,976) isn’t because turning 72 triggers some increase. It’s because of when they were born, their work history, and other demographic factors.
Remember that Social Security was never meant to be your only source of retirement income. Even for current 72-year-olds who are doing relatively well with Social Security, these benefits typically provide less than half of their total income needs.
I always tell my readers: save, invest, and plan for retirement beyond just counting on Social Security. Your future self will thank you!
What’s Your Experience?
Are you approaching 72 or already there? Have you noticed anything interesting about your Social Security benefits? Drop a comment below – I’d love to hear about your personal experience with the system!
Disclaimer: This article contains general information about Social Security benefits and is not intended as financial advice. Rules and benefits calculations may change over time. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor or the Social Security Administration directly for information specific to your situation.
What’s full retirement age?
| If you were born in… | Your full retirement age is… |
|---|---|
| 1957 or earlier | Youve already hit full retirement age |
| 1958 | 66 and 8 months |
| 1959 | 66 and 10 months |
| 1960 or later | 67 |
How much will my Social Security benefits be?
How Much is the Average Social Security Check for a 72-Year-Old?
FAQ
Does Social Security increase at age 72?
When you reach age 70, your monthly benefit stops increasing even if you continue to delay taking benefits.
At what age do you get 100% of your Social Security?
When you reach your full retirement age, which is 67 for people born in 1966 or later, you get 100% of your Social Security benefits and nothing else. The full retirement age varies based on your birth year, falling between 66 and 67 years old.
What are special age 72 payments?
To assure some regular income to certain persons age 72 and over who had little or no opportunity to earn Social Security protection during their working years.
What is the highest Social Security payment at age 70?
If you start getting Social Security benefits at age 70, you could get as much as $5,108 a month in 2025.
Does Social Security increase after age 70?
For every month that you wait to start getting Social Security retirement benefits after reaching full retirement age, those benefits go up by a certain percentage. This increase stops at age 70. After age 70, do I still have to pay Social Security tax? Yes, Social Security is taxed by the federal government after age 70.
How much Social Security benefits do you get if you retire at 62?
However, the Social Security Administration reduces benefits by 30% for people who retire at 62, meaning they receive just 70% of their full retirement benefit each month for life. For people born in 1960 or later, full retirement age is 67. This is the age at which you are entitled to 100% of your Social Security retirement benefit
How much social security does a 70 year old get?
According to the most recent data from the Social Security Administration, the average monthly benefit for retired workers at age 70 was $2,148.12. People who retire at age 70 typically receive 124% of their full benefit. You have other sources of income and don’t need your benefits before 70. You expect to live a long time.
How much Social Security benefits does a 67 year old get?
According to the most recent data from the Social Security Administration, the average monthly benefit for retired workers at age 67 is $1,929.73. Someone who files for retirement at age 67 typically receives 100% of their full benefit. You plan to continue working while receiving benefits.
When can I get full Social Security benefits?
You become eligible to receive full Social Security benefits at full retirement age (also known as “normal retirement age”), which depends on your birthday. 1 If you were born in 1957 or earlier, you’ve already reached full retirement age.
What age can you take Social Security retirement benefits?
Tina’s work has appeared in a variety of local and national media outlets. The earliest age at which most people can take Social Security retirement benefits is typically 62, but those payments are normally reduced because people usually aren’t entitled to 100% of their benefits until 67.