Age 62? You Could Be Missing Out on $2,831 from Social Security This Month!

If you’ve just turned 62 and are thinking about retiring, you’ve probably seen articles or videos saying you can get up to $2,831 a month from Social Security. That number sounds amazing, right? But here’s the truth: yes, it’s real — but no, most people don’t get anywhere near it.

Let’s talk about how that number works, who actually qualifies for it, and what your own Social Security check might really look like.

So, Where Does That $2,831 Number Come From?

That’s the maximum benefit Social Security will pay someone at age 62 in 2025. But — and it’s a big “but” — getting that amount isn’t typical. In fact, very few people qualify for the full amount. It depends on a bunch of specific factors that don’t apply to most of us.

Here’s What You’d Need to Get That Full $2,831

There are four main boxes you’d need to check:

1. You worked at least 35 years

Social Security looks at your top 35 earning years. If you didn’t work for that long, they fill in the gaps with zeroes — and that lowers your benefit. The longer you worked (and the more you earned), the better your benefit looks.

2. You consistently earned a high income

This one’s tough. You’d need to have earned the maximum amount of income that’s taxed for Social Security every single year for 35 years. In 2025, that amount is $168,600. So unless you had a high-paying job for most of your career, this probably isn’t you — and that’s totally okay.

3. You paid Social Security taxes on all of it

Your income only counts if you paid Social Security taxes on it. So if you had a job where you didn’t pay into the system — like certain government jobs or freelance work without payroll taxes — those years won’t help your benefit.

4. You start collecting benefits at 62

This might sound simple, but it’s important. Starting at 62 means you’re claiming your benefits early, and that comes with a permanent reduction — about 30% less than if you waited until full retirement age. So yes, $2,831 is the max at 62, but it would actually be higher if you waited.

When Will You Get Paid in June?

Social Security sends out payments depending on your birthdate:

• If you were born between the 1st and 10th, your check will arrive on Wednesday, June 11

• Born between the 11th and 20th? You’ll be paid June 18

• Born between the 21st and 31st? You’ll see your deposit June 25

• If you started collecting benefits before May 1997, or you get SSI, your payment arrives earlier — on June 3

But Let’s Be Honest — Most People Don’t Get $2,831

That’s the maximum. The average benefit for someone starting Social Security at 62 is more like $1,341 a month. And that’s still helpful! Most people don’t have super high earnings every year or a perfect 35-year work history. Social Security is designed to be a safety net — not a luxury retirement fund.

How Do You Know What You’ll Actually Get?

It’s super easy to check. Just go to ssa.gov/myaccount and set up a free account. You’ll be able to:

• See how much you’ll get at 62, full retirement age, and 70

• Check that your earnings history is accurate

• Get a better idea of when to start collecting

If you spot anything weird in your earnings history, it’s worth correcting it. Even small mistakes can change your monthly amount.

Yes, it’s true that some 62-year-olds will get $2,831 this month — but only if they’ve had decades of high earnings and perfect work history. If you’re not in that group, you’re not alone.

What matters most is knowing where you stand, what you qualify for, and what strategy works best for your own situation.

If you’re trying to figure out whether to start benefits now or wait a little longer, I’m here to help talk it through. Retirement’s a big decision — no need to go it alone.