What happens to my Social Security benefits if I keep paying into the system for another decade – will they go up?

Core Insights - Millions of older Americans rely on Social Security benefits to cover retirement expenses [1] - Understanding the calculation of benefits is crucial for maximizing retirement income [2] Benefit Calculation - Social Security benefits are calculated based on the 35 highest-paid years of earnings, with contributions made during those years [3][7] - Higher earners may not pay Social Security tax on all income due to an annual income cap [3] Impact of Additional Work - A 20-year work history allows for potential increases in Social Security benefits if additional years of higher earnings are worked [4][5] - If an individual does not work a full 35 years, the calculation will include zero earnings for the missing years [5] Inflation Adjustment - Social Security indexes earlier wages for inflation, meaning past earnings are adjusted to reflect current value [6]