Delay Claiming Your Social Security Benefits

One of the most effective ways to increase your Social Security retirement benefits is by delaying when you start receiving payments. Here’s how it works:

• Full Retirement Age (FRA): Your FRA is typically between 66 and 67, depending on the year you were born. If you wait until your FRA to claim your benefits, you’ll receive your full benefit amount.
• Delayed Retirement Credits: For every year you delay claiming your benefits after your FRA, your benefit will increase by 8% per year until you reach age 70. This means if you wait until age 70 to start your benefits, you could receive up to 32% more than if you started at your FRA.

Work for 35 Years or More

Your Social Security retirement benefits are based on your average lifetime earnings. The SSA uses your highest 35 years of earnings to calculate your benefits. If you have fewer than 35 years of work history, the SSA will count the years you didn’t work as zero income years, which lowers your average.

• Work Longer: If you have fewer than 35 years of work, try to work longer and earn as much as possible. Working for 35 years with a higher income will increase your benefit amount.
• Increase Your Earnings: Focus on earning more money during your working years to boost your Social Security benefits. Higher lifetime earnings result in higher Social Security payments.

Apply for Benefits at the Right Time

Timing is crucial when it comes to Social Security benefits. The best time to apply depends on your personal circumstances, including health, financial needs, and family situation:

• Claiming Early: You can start claiming benefits as early as age 62. However, claiming benefits before your Full Retirement Age (FRA) will reduce your monthly payments by up to 30%.
• Consider Your Health: If you are in poor health and need the income sooner, claiming early may make sense. However, if you are healthy and can afford to wait, delaying can lead to significantly higher monthly benefits.

Consider Your Spouse’s Benefits

If you’re married, you may be eligible for spousal benefits based on your spouse’s work record. Here’s how to maximize those benefits:

• Spousal Benefits: If you are married, you can claim up to 50% of your spouse's Social Security benefit at your Full Retirement Age (FRA), even if you have never worked or have a low work history. This can increase your benefits if your spouse has a higher earning history.
• Survivor Benefits: If your spouse passes away, you may be eligible to receive their full benefit or your own, whichever is higher. You can claim survivor benefits as early as age 60, though you’ll receive a reduced amount if you start before your FRA.

Work and Earn More to Increase SSDI Benefits

For those receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), your monthly benefit is based on your average lifetime earnings. If you return to work and earn more, your benefit amount could increase, especially if your earnings increase after you start receiving SSDI.

• Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA): While you can work and earn money while receiving SSDI, you need to be cautious about Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). In 2025, the SGA limit is $1,470 per month for non-blind individuals. Earning more than this may cause you to lose your benefits, but it can also result in higher SSDI payments if you increase your earnings while staying within the limit.

Review and Correct Your Earnings Record

Your earnings record plays a crucial role in determining your Social Security benefits. Mistakes on your record can result in lower benefits.

• Review Your Record Regularly: You can check your earnings record on your Social Security Statement (available online through your SSA account). Make sure it’s accurate, and if you find discrepancies, report them to the SSA for corrections.

Use the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) to Your Advantage

If you’ve worked in a job where you didn’t pay into Social Security (such as certain government jobs), you might be subject to the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), which reduces the amount of your Social Security benefit. However, there are ways to minimize the WEP impact:

• Work in Social Security Covered Jobs: The more years you spend working in jobs where you pay Social Security taxes, the less the WEP will affect your benefits. If you’ve had significant earnings in Social Security-covered jobs, the WEP may have little impact.