What Is Social Security Retirement? Who’s Getting What & When?

1. What is Social Security retirement?

When we talk about Social Security retirement, we’re referring to the benefit payments you receive from the federal Social Security program once you’ve worked, paid payroll taxes, earned enough “credits,” and reached the age at which you begin collecting retirement benefits.
Here’s how it works for folks in California:

• You pay into Social Security through payroll tax (FICA) while you’re working. Over the years, you accumulate credits — for example, you generally need 40 credits, which is around 10 years of work, to qualify for retirement benefits.
• The amount of your benefit is based largely on your lifetime earnings (specifically your highest-earning 35 years, adjusted) and the age at which you start your benefits.
• Your benefit is meant to provide you with a monthly income for life after you retire — it is one of the key retirement income pillars for many Americans.
• The term “retirement” here doesn’t necessarily mean you must stop working — you can begin Social Security retirement benefits and still work (though there are rules about earnings if you claim early).

For a California reader, the takeaway: If you’ve paid into Social Security and meet the eligibility rules, you will be able to claim Social Security retirement benefits, and the sooner you understand how much and when, the more you’ll be able to plan for your golden years.

2. How do I check how much Social Security I will get when I retire?

Want to know what my Social Security retirement benefit will be? Here’s how you do it — clear and simple, especially for Californian readers.

Steps to check your benefit:

1. Set up a free online account at the Social Security Administration (SSA) website: “my Social Security”.
2. Once you’re logged in, you can view your Social Security Statement, which shows your reported earnings history, estimated benefit amounts at different claiming ages (62, full retirement age, age 70) and gives you a glimpse of your future benefit.
3. Use the SSA’s online Benefit Calculators to plug in different scenarios (for example: “If I delay claiming to age 70”, “If I claim at 62”, “If I keep working longer”) and estimate your future benefit.
4. Make sure your earnings record is correct — especially if you worked in California and moved, had multiple jobs, or had self-employment earnings. A wrong earnings record means a wrong benefit estimate. The SSA account lets you check your history.

Why this matters for you:

• Knowing your estimated benefit helps you plan your retirement budget in California (housing, healthcare, cost of living).
• You’ll see how claiming earlier vs. later affects your monthly payment. For example, claiming at 62 means a permanently reduced payment; delaying to full retirement age or later increases your benefit. (
• Especially if you live in a higher-cost area (like many parts of California), knowing your Social Security retirement benefit is critical for retirement planning.

3. How much do most retirees get in Social Security?

It’s one thing to estimate your benefit; it’s another to understand what most people are actually receiving.

The average benefit:

• As of recent data, the average retired-worker Social Security retirement benefit across the U.S. is just over $2,000 a month. For example, in May 2025 the average was around $2,002.39.
• The maximum monthly benefit depends heavily on your lifetime earnings and the age you claim. For example: in 2025 the maximum benefit for someone claiming at age 70 (with 35-years of high earnings) is up to $5,108/month. ([capscontract.org][9])
• If you claim early (age 62), your benefit can be significantly lower. Still in 2025 the maximum for age 62 was roughly $2,831/month.

What does this mean for California retirees?

• If you’re living in California and relying solely on Social Security retirement benefits, the average ~$2,000/month may or may not be sufficient, depending on your local cost of living.
• If you have additional retirement savings (401(k), IRA, pensions) you’ll be in better shape.
• Delaying your benefit claim or working more years with higher earnings substantially improves your monthly benefit.

4. What is the new retirement age for Social Security in 2026?

One of the most important planning factors for Social Security retirement is when you claim your benefits. The “full retirement age” (FRA) is changing — so California readers, pay attention.

What is FRA?

• The FRA is the age at which you are eligible to receive 100% of your Social Security retirement benefit (as calculated based on your earnings). If you claim before that age, your benefit is reduced. If you claim after, your benefit grows (up to age 70).
• For those born in 1960 or later, the FRA is 67 years in the current schedule.

Changes for 2026:

• According to SSA projections and solvency reports, the FRA will reach 67 for those turning 62 in 2026 (those born in 1964) and beyond.
• So if you’re a California worker planning retirement and you’re in the younger cohort, you’ll see the FRA at 67. If you claim earlier than 67, your benefit will be reduced permanently.
• It is important to note that the earliest you can claim remains at age 62, but claiming before FRA means a smaller benefit.

Why this matters:

• If you’re planning to retire around age 65 or so, you’ll want to know whether you’ll get full benefits or a reduced amount.
• Because California has relatively high cost of living, delaying your benefit to reach full FRA (or beyond) can make a big difference in monthly income.
• Keep in mind that legislation may change and policy shifts may happen, but as of current SSA projections this is the schedule.

5. Summary & What You Should Do in California

Here’s a quick recap, and actionable steps for California readers thinking about Social Security retirement:

Summary

• Social Security retirement benefits are your monthly benefit based on lifetime earnings and claiming age.
• You can check your benefit estimate easily online with your SSA “my Social Security” account.
• Most retirees receive around $2,000 a month (as of 2025), but much higher benefits are possible with higher lifetime earnings and delayed claiming.
• The full retirement age in 2026 (for those younger) will be 67 years — meaning full benefit only at that age, earlier means reduced benefit.

What You Should Do

1. Create or log into your “my Social Security” account today. Check your earnings record, estimate benefit at different ages.
2. Decide when you plan to claim. If you can afford to delay, every year you wait up to age 70 increases your benefit.
3. Factor your expected benefit into your California retirement budget: housing, healthcare (including Medicare), taxes, inflation.
4. If you are working in California and you didn’t earn enough lifetime credits yet, make sure you understand the implications for your Social Security retirement benefit.
5. Ask a financial planner or retirement counselor familiar with California cost-of-living to help you interpret your Social Security retirement benefit in your overall retirement plan.