There are three boxes you need to check before you apply. And you'll have to put in some real work to pull this off.

The maximum Social Security benefit is difficult to achieve, but the right strategy could get you there. Three main factors affect the size of your benefit amount. Even if you're off track for the max ...

The difference between claiming early and waiting could be thousands of dollars per month.

In 2026, the maximum Social Security benefit is $5,181 per month. While most people don’t receive this much money, those who maxed out their average wages and claimed benefits at the age of 70 can ...

You must earn at least the wage base limit for 35 years to receive the maximum Social Security benefit. You'll also have to wait until age 70 to file. The vast majority of Social Security recipients ...

The maximum Social Security benefit is significantly higher than the average benefit. Most people don't max out their Social Security checks, and it will get harder to do so in 2026. In 2025, the ...

The average Social Security retirement beneficiary is expected to receive a monthly payment of about $2,064 in 2026, based on the most recent data provided by the Social Security Administration. But ...