Generally speaking, people earn Social Security benefits in retirement by working long enough and paying taxes on their wages. But there's way to get Social Security even if you never worked. Social Security pays spousal benefits to older Americans, and you can qualify based on a current or former spouse's record. You may also want to file for Social Security spousal benefits if your spouse earned a lot more money than you, as your spousal benefit may be more generous than the benefit you get based on you ...

Core Insights - The maximum Social Security benefit in 2026 is $5,251, but very few individuals will receive this amount [1][7] - To enhance future retirement security, individuals should focus on increasing their income and planning to delay their benefits claim [1] Income Increase - Increasing income is crucial for those not on track to receive the maximum Social Security benefit, as benefits are approximately 40% of pre-retirement earnings [3] - The wage base limit for Social Security tax in 2026 is $184,500, up from $176,100 in 2025, and this limit is adjusted annually for inflation [5] - Earning more, whether through a salary increase or side gig, can lead to a higher Social Security check in the future [5] Delaying Benefits Claim - Delaying the claim for Social Security benefits can maximize the monthly check, with the maximum benefit available only to those who claim at age 70 [6] - Delayed retirement credits increase the Social Security check for each month benefits are postponed after reaching full retirement age [8] - Individuals not earning the maximum benefit can still optimize their personal benefit by waiting until age 70 to claim [8]

Core Insights - Timing is crucial when claiming Social Security benefits, and the optimal time varies based on individual circumstances [1] Group 1: Claiming Timing - Claiming Social Security benefits earlier than necessary can lead to significant reductions in monthly payments, with a potential decrease of up to 30% if claimed at age 62 [3] - Delaying benefits until age 70 can increase monthly checks by up to 24% due to delayed retirement credits [3][4] Group 2: Financial Considerations - A significant portion of retirees, over 38 million or approximately 63% of adult recipients, rely on Social Security for at least half of their income [2] - The Social Security Administration (SSA) implements an earnings test that reduces benefits by $1 for every $2 earned above $24,480 in 2026, and $1 for every $3 earned above $65,160 in the year of reaching full retirement age [6] Group 3: Spousal Considerations - For married couples, the optimal strategy is to delay claiming the higher earner's benefit until it maximizes close to age 70, while the lower earner can claim benefits starting at age 62 if needed [7][8]

Core Insights - Many older Americans rely on Social Security for a financially comfortable retirement, as it is a crucial income source that is guaranteed and inflation-protected [1] Group 1: Maximizing Social Security Benefits - Delaying the claim of Social Security benefits until age 70 can guarantee a larger monthly check, with full retirement age (FRA) for those born in 1960 or later being 67 [4] - Each month of delay beyond FRA earns delayed retirement credits, increasing benefits by 2/3 of 1% per month, potentially leading to a 24% increase in monthly benefits if FRA is 67 [5][6] Group 2: Limitations on Delayed Benefits - Not all individuals can take advantage of delaying benefits; those planning to collect spousal benefits cannot earn delayed retirement credits, as they are capped at 50% of the primary earner's benefit [7][8] - Financial constraints may prevent some individuals from delaying their claims, making it essential to consider personal circumstances when deciding [8][9]

Core Insights - Social Security is a crucial social program in America, with many components that can complicate understanding [1] - Understanding the full retirement age (FRA) is essential for retirees as it significantly impacts their benefits [2] Benefit Calculation - Monthly benefits are determined by the timing of claims relative to the FRA, with the primary insurance amount (PIA) being the base benefit received at FRA [4] - Claiming benefits before the FRA results in a permanent reduction, with a decrease of 5/9 of 1% for the first 36 months and 5/12 of 1% for each additional month [5] - For example, claiming at age 64 (FRA 67) results in a 20% reduction, lowering a $2,000 PIA to $1,600, while claiming at 62 results in a 30% reduction to $1,400 [5] Delayed Benefits - Delaying benefits past the FRA increases the monthly amount by 2/3 of 1% per month, equating to an 8% annual increase until age 70 [6] - Continuing the previous example, delaying benefits until age 70 would increase the amount to $2,480, a 24% increase from the original PIA [6] Spousal Benefits - Claiming spousal benefits is also affected by the timing of the claim relative to the FRA, with reductions of 25/36 of 1% for up to 36 months and 5/12 of 1% for additional months [9] - For a person with an FRA of 67, claiming spousal benefits at 64 results in a 25% reduction, while claiming at 62 results in a 35% reduction [10]

Core Points - The article emphasizes the importance of timing when claiming Social Security benefits, highlighting that making the right decision is crucial for long-term financial well-being Group 1 - Reaching full retirement age (FRA) is a clear indicator that one is ready to claim Social Security, with the FRA set at 67 for those born in 1960 or later [3] - Waiting until FRA to claim Social Security avoids early retirement penalties and allows participation in Medicare, which can lower health insurance costs [4] - Delaying Social Security benefits can lead to increased retirement benefits, with potential increases of up to 24% by waiting until age 70 [5] Group 2 - Having other income sources to cover retirement needs is a sign of readiness to claim Social Security, as many individuals save in IRAs, 401(k) accounts, and other plans [6] - The amount of savings needed varies based on individual circumstances, and consulting a financial advisor is recommended to assess retirement plans [7] Group 3 - A strong desire to pursue retirement dreams indicates readiness to claim Social Security, provided financial conditions are favorable [10]

Summary of Key Points Core Viewpoint - The maximum monthly Social Security benefit is projected to increase from $5,108 in 2025 to approximately $5,245.97 in 2026, highlighting the importance of earning a high salary and delaying benefits claims to maximize retirement income [1][9]. Earnings Requirements - To achieve the maximum Social Security benefit in 2026, individuals must earn a substantial salary, specifically at or above the wage base limit, which is expected to rise from $176,100 in 2025 to $183,600 in 2026 due to inflation [5][9]. - Social Security benefits are calculated based on the average wages from the highest 35 years of earnings, with only income up to the wage base limit being considered for benefits [4][5]. Claiming Strategy - Individuals aiming for the maximum benefit must plan to delay their Social Security claims until age 70, which is eight years after becoming eligible at age 62 [6][7]. - Delaying benefits allows individuals to accumulate delayed retirement credits, which enhance the standard Social Security checks until age 70, maximizing the overall benefit [8][9].