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Home/Briefs/social security

BriefApril 18, 2026 · 10:12 AM

To Maximize Social Security Benefits, Earnings History and Filing Age Determine Monthly Payouts

A monthly Social Security benefit of $5,181 is the maximum available in 2024. To receive this amount, an individual must have earned close to the annual wage cap of $184,500 for 35 years. Benefits are calculated using the average of a person's 35 highest-earning years. Filing at full retirement age — 67 for those born in 1960 or later — ensures the full benefit amount. Filing earlier than that reduces the payout, while delaying past 67 increases it by 8% annually, up to age 70. Side hustle income, when taxed, also counts toward future benefits. Strategic claiming and maintaining high earnings over 35 years can lead to a monthly benefit exceeding $5,000.

Sam Blackwood

Social Securityretirement benefitsearnings history

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