The average Social Security retirement benefit in 2024 hovers around $1,900 per month — hardly enough for a worry-free retirement. Yet, many retirees and soon-to-be retirees don’t realize they have more control over their monthly check than they think. With the right strategies, a typical worker can boost their payments by hundreds of dollars just by making smarter choices before they file.
Sadly, most people miss these key opportunities either because they don’t understand the rules or because they simply file too early. Social Security is designed to reward smart planning and timing, yet countless retirees inadvertently leave tens of thousands of dollars on the table simply out of haste or misinformation.
Whether you’ve just started thinking about retirement or are currently drawing benefits, understanding how to optimize your Social Security income could be the most valuable financial decision you make in your later years. Below, we explore three often-overlooked strategies that can significantly increase your monthly benefit — and why many people don’t take advantage of them.
Overview of key ways to increase your Social Security check
| Strategy | Potential Impact | Common Mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Delay benefits past full retirement age | Up to 32% increase in monthly benefits | Claiming at age 62 without exploring impact |
| Work 35+ years with higher wages | Replaces low-earning years in benefit calculation | Retiring too early with many zero-income years |
| Understand spousal and survivor benefits | Allows potential spousal boost or inheritance of higher benefit | Overlooking benefits tied to a spouse’s earnings |
Delaying your claim beyond full retirement age
Perhaps the most powerful — and underused — tool for increasing your Social Security benefits is **waiting past your full retirement age** (FRA) to claim. While you’re allowed to start benefits as early as age 62, doing so comes with a permanent reduction to your monthly check. On the other hand, if you delay your claim beyond your FRA (typically 66 or 67 depending on your birth year), you earn **delayed retirement credits** that can add up substantially.
For each year you delay benefits past your FRA, your monthly benefit increases by approximately **8% per year** until age 70. That could be the difference between receiving $1,500 per month and more than $1,900. Those increases last for the rest of your life and are adjusted annually with inflation.
“Delaying benefits is like buying a guaranteed annuity with an automatic inflation rider — and most people don’t even realize they have that option.”
— Rebecca Ngo, Retirement Strategist
Despite this valuable incentive, most Americans still claim early, often due to misconceptions about how long they’ll live or worries about ‘missing out.’ However, if you’re in good health and have savings to carry you a few more years, delaying can be the smartest move you make.
Maximizing your full 35 earning years
Another quieter factor that influences your Social Security check is your **earnings record** — specifically your top 35 years of income. Social Security uses a formula that averages your highest 35 years of earnings (adjusted for inflation) to determine your primary insurance amount (PIA). If you have not worked a full 35 years, those missing years count as zeros, dragging down your total average.
Working beyond the traditional retirement age — especially if you’re earning more than you did earlier in your career — can push out lower-earning years and replace them with higher ones. Even just a few extra years of higher income in your 60s can result in hundreds more each month for life.
“Each additional year of work in your 60s not only fattens your nest egg, but it could also replace a low-earning or zero-income year in your Social Security formula.”
— Jacob Hill, Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
This is especially important for women, caregivers, or anyone who took extended breaks from the workforce. By choosing to remain employed just a few extra years—at any pay level—future benefits may get a measurable boost.
Spousal and survivor benefits are a hidden asset
For married couples, spousal and survivor benefits offer strategic opportunities to significantly boost retirement income — but **most couples fail to coordinate properly**. Spousal benefits allow you to claim up to 50% of your spouse’s benefit if it’s larger than your own, but that only applies if your spouse has already filed for their benefits and you are at least age 62 (or FRA for full amount).
Survivor benefits are even more consequential. If your spouse passes away, you’re generally eligible to inherit their larger monthly benefit — as long as certain filing conditions were met. Coordinating who files when, and who delays, can often mean the difference of thousands of dollars annually for a surviving spouse.
“Coordinating Social Security claims between spouses is one of the most powerful ways to boost household retirement income, yet most couples don’t discuss it until it’s too late.”
— Emily Fischer, Retirement Income Advisor
The key is knowing that you don’t both need to claim at the same time and can maximize one benefit while delaying the other. Strategies like “file and suspend” used to be more common, but even now, couples who take the time to strategize can unlock significant income.
Winners and losers of delayed claiming strategy
| Group | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Healthy retirees who live into 80s or beyond | Winner: More lifetime income through delayed benefits |
| Retirees with limited savings and healthcare issues | Loser: May need early benefits to cover immediate needs |
| Dual-income married couples | Winner: Can file strategically to maximize survivor benefits |
| Single workers with breaks in their record | Loser: Missing years reduce their average earning base |
Making your Social Security decision strategically
Claiming Social Security benefits should never be an automatic or emotional decision—it’s a financial strategy. You only get one chance to claim right, and your choice follows you for life. That means investing time now to calculate precise benefits, comparing them with your life expectancy, savings, and health risks could net you tens of thousands of dollars more during retirement.
If you’re unsure of where to begin, speak with a financial advisor or use official benefit calculators to estimate different scenarios. The more you understand how age, earnings, and marital status influence your benefit, the more confident your retirement decisions become. It’s not just about maximizing income — it’s about minimizing regret later on.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best age to claim Social Security?
While you can start at age 62, the best age depends on life expectancy, savings, and marital status. Waiting until full retirement age or beyond typically increases your monthly benefit substantially.
How much does Social Security increase if I delay past full retirement age?
Your benefit increases by about 8% for each year you wait past your full retirement age, up to age 70.
What if I haven’t worked 35 years?
If you haven’t worked 35 years, the Social Security Administration calculates your benefit by including zero-income years in the average. Working longer can replace those years and boost your benefit.
How do spousal benefits work?
If your spouse’s benefit is higher than yours, you may be eligible to claim up to 50% of their benefit as a spousal benefit, subject to eligibility requirements and filing restrictions.
Can I change my claiming decision later?
Once you claim Social Security, you typically have 12 months to withdraw your application and restart later, but you must repay any benefits received. After that, changes are limited.
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