4 Ways to Score a Higher Social Security Check
Filing for Social Security is a major milestone in a retiree's life, and it's truly in your best interests to do the work beforehand to figure out your optimal filing time. There are a few simple ways to score a higher monthly check, and we'll visit four of them below; in short, those who earn more money and who wait longer to file are those who ultimately reap the highest benefit.
The amount you collect in Social Security benefits is directly related to the amount you earned during your 35 highest-paid years as a worker. To qualify for the maximum Social Security credit in 2022, you'll need to earn $147,000; this amount has steadily increased since the inception of the Social Security Administration (SSA) in 1935.
Earning the highest monthly check would require earning the maximum Social Security wage base in your 35 highest-paid years. In 2022, the maximum benefit is $3,345 per month if you retire at full retirement age (FRA), or $4,194 per month if you wait to claim benefits until age 70.
Source Fool.com
