How to Qualify for the Highest Possible Social Security Benefit

Maximizing your retirement paycheck and getting the most out of Social Security is a goal for many retirees. In 2021, the highest possible Social Security benefit is $3,895 a month. Below you will learn what you would have needed to do to qualify for this amount.

You only need to work for 10 years in an eligible job to qualify for Social Security. However, to max Your Social Security benefit, you should work at least 35 years.

Your benefit is based on the average indexed monthly earnings during the 35 years in which you earned the most.

To be eligible for the maximum Social Security benefit allowable, you must have consistently earned an amount that is  equal to or exceeds the Social Security Administration’s maximum taxable earnings limit throughout your career.

For 2021, the maximum limit is $142,800 per year, although the amount changes yearly to account for cost-of-living adjustments.

The longer you wait to start your benefits, up until age 70, the more your check will be.

According to the Social Security Administration, the maximum monthly benefit that anyone can receive is 2021 is:

• $2,324 if you start benefits at age 62
• $3,113 if you start at your full retirement age (FRA)
• $3,895 if you file at age 70

Maxing out your Social Security benefits is more than just maximizing your monthly paycheck.

You also want to consider how long you will be receiving those benefits and calculate your potential lifetime benefit amount.

To figure out your lifetime benefit amount, simply multiply your monthly paycheck times the number of months you expect to receive benefits.

So, for example, if you are eligible for a maximum benefit and will live until age 85, there is a significant difference in lifetime benefit amounts.

If you claim at:

• 70, then you will collect benefits for 180 months and receive: $701,100 ($3,895 x 180 months = $701,100) over your lifetime.
• 62, then you will collect benefits for 276 months but only receive$641,424 ($2,324 x 276 months = $641,424) over your lifetime.

And, the longer you live, the more it behooves you to hold off starting benefits.

Okay, so getting the most out of Social Security is a matter of earning the highest possible salary for at least 35 years, delaying the start of benefits and living a long time. However, if you are married, there is another factor to consider. You want to factor both your own as well as your spouse’s longevity.

If one of you dies before the other, then the surviving spouse will get to make a choice about which Social Security benefit to receive. (A surviving spouse is entitled to just one benefit – not both.) And, if the higher earning spouse has maxed out their benefit, then the surviving spouse will enjoy the bigger paycheck.

The highest earner in the couple should defer the start of benefits as long as possible up until the maximum retirement age of 70. Don’t focus on who is older or who retires first. The key is to make sure the highest earner grabs the highest possible payout.

While only 33% of Americans have a financial plan in writing, surveys show that people with a written plan feel more confident and are more likely to make better decisions and reach financial goals.

The NewRetirement Planner is an easy-to-use do it yourself platform addressing all aspects of financial planning, including Social Security.

The system includes a Social Security Explorer, making it easy to see how to maximize your Social Security benefit

Get started today.