In April, more than 66 million people took home a benefit check from Social Security, 49.3 million of which were retired workers. Among these retirees, close to 90% rely on their monthly payout to cover some portion of their monthly expenses.

Whether you're already retired or have just entered the workforce, surveys consistently show that most Americans will lean on their Social Security payout in some capacity during their golden years. In other words, maximizing what you'll receive from the Social Security program is important.

However, what you'll be paid monthly by America's top retirement program can vary greatly depending on a number of key factors.

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Source Fool.com