Key Points The maximum Social Security benefit will be increasing in 2026. If you want to max out your benefits, you need to earn a high salary. You also need to make sure you have a plan to delay your benefits claim. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › In 2025, the maximum monthly Social Security benefit is $5,108 per month. It's not 100% clear exactly how large the maximum monthly benefit will be in 2026, but based on current estimates of benefit increases, it ...