Social Security can go a long way toward enjoying a comfortable retirement, especially if your savings are falling short. Nearly 60% of current retirees say their benefits are a major source of income, according to a 2023 poll from Gallup, so it's wise to maximize your monthly payments.

While much of your benefit amount is determined by factors largely beyond your control, there are a few moves that can affect the size of your checks. If you're looking to earn as much as possible from Social Security, you may want to avoid these three things that could shrink your benefits.

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Source Fool.com