Although it is true that Social Security retirement checks are suitable for most citizens of the United States, it is also true that it is mandatory to meet certain requirements before starting to collect them. Once we are collecting these monthly retirement checks, we will have no problems, at least in most cases, getting them every month.
But before you start getting the checks, you must meet a minimum number of requirements. Thanks to these requirements, you will be able to get a new monthly check, although if you meet the minimum conditions, you will not be able to get too large a benefit, so it is advisable to delay the payment as long as possible.
Requirements for Social Security in 2025
If you are thinking of applying for your Social Security retirement payment in 2025, it is advisable to look very carefully at all the established requirements. After all, without these requirements you will not be able to have a monthly check, so we must keep in mind at all times that without fulfilling them we would have to wait longer or we would have to look for another kind of financing for our expenses.
Thus, the Social Security requirements in 2025 are, as in previous years, as follows:
- Be at least 62 years old.
- Have worked for at least 10 years.
As for age, it is true that in some specific cases it is possible to apply for payment earlier, but each particular case is studied by the Social Security Administration. What is certain is that you will have to earn 40 work credits, which means working for a minimum of 10 years.
It is not compulsory to work continuously, but just by working during that time, even if it is on an alternating basis, it is possible to achieve the work credits. Even so, the check we get with these characteristics is too small, since to maximize the monthly payment we must take into account all the aspects related to the benefit.
How to maximize Social Security in 2025?
In order to get the maximum Social Security possible, what we have to do at all times is check that we are close to having worked at least 35 years. If we have reached that figure, we will most likely have a good benefit, but other aspects must be considered.
In addition to that, it is also necessary to delay payment as much as possible. The Social Security payment at the age of 70 is much higher than at the age of 62, since if we apply at the Early Retirement Age we will lose 30% of the money we have contributed.
On the other hand, the salary as worked is also very important. If we do not have a good salary in our time as a worker, we will not be able to get a good check, since the final Social Security retirement check depends directly on the taxes we have paid as workers.