Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of maximizing Social Security benefits for financial stability during retirement [2][8]. Group 1: Strategies to Boost Social Security Benefits - **Increasing Income with Side Jobs**: Additional income from side jobs can enhance future Social Security benefits, as all taxable income contributes to the calculation of benefits [4][5]. - **Delaying Claims Beyond Full Retirement Age**: Waiting until full retirement age (67 for those born in or after 1960) to claim Social Security benefits can result in an 8% increase for each year delayed until age 70, leading to significantly larger monthly checks [6][7]. - **Withdrawing Early Claims**: Filing for Social Security as early as age 62 can reduce monthly benefits for life, making it a less favorable option for those who can afford to wait [9].