By Understanding the ins and outs of Social Security is essential to ensuring your retirement years are livable and comfortable. In fact, many individuals don’t realize that lifetime earnings, the age at which you begin claiming benefits and other factors can all influence the amount you receive. And you certainly don’t want to miss out on any dough. Keep reading to learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, plus how your working years affect your calculation.
How to get the maximum Social Security benefit in 2025
Social Security benefits differ for every individual. That being said, there are various things you can do to ensure you’re getting the most out of what you’ve earned. From choosing the right time to start collecting to understanding how your income history plays a role, these are the experts’ top tips:
Wait to claim your benefits
The best advice for receiving a better Social Security check? Wait. Why is this better? While you can start collecting Social Security benefits as early as age 62, doing so isn’t always the smartest move for your long-term finances.
“Starting your benefit at age 62 can permanently reduce your retirement benefit by 30 percent,” says Regina McCann Hess, CFP, CDFA, financial advisor at Forge Wealth Management. She adds that waiting until you reach your Full Retirement Age (FRA) allows you to receive your full benefit amount, which can have a better impact on your wallet.
Utilize spousal benefits
If you are married, you are entitled to spousal benefits, which is why Rachel Gustafson, CFP, CCPS, investment advisor representative at Financial Investment Team, says it’s essential to review both your own Social Security benefits (if you’re eligible based on your work record) and potential spousal benefits, up to 50 percent of your spouse’s full retirement age (FRA) benefit. “Many couples can increase their total household benefits by having the higher earner delay claiming until age 70, which boosts both their monthly benefit.”
This may also work if you’re divorced but were married for at least 10 years. “For a divorced spouse to qualify for benefits, they must not remarry and must not be entitled to a higher benefit based on their own record,” adds Gustafson.
Widowers receive survivor benefits
When you lose a spouse, you may also receive a survivor benefit. The rules? You must be 60 or older (or 50 if you are disabled), caring for a child under the age of 16 or one who is disabled, explains McCann Hess. Additionally, you would have had to have been married to your current spouse for at least nine months before they passed away. The benefits are based on the deceased spouse’s history.
Gustafson notes that survivor benefits begin at about 71.5 percent of your spouse’s benefit and increase the longer you wait to apply, reaching 100 percent at FRA, but this is all dependent on when the spouse had claimed. One common strategy here is to compare your benefit to your survivor benefit and take the higher benefit.
How your working years affect your calculations
Social Security considers your 35 highest years of work history, and you need 40 credits or at least 10 years in your lifetime to qualify for Social Security benefits, explains Gustafson.
“So, if you are in your higher-earning years leading up to retirement, then that will increase your Social Security benefit if you delay claiming until retirement. It’s also important to note that if you are still working and decide to claim Social Security, a portion of your benefits may be withheld.
