All you really have to do to claim Social Security is work, wait until you’re at least 62, and fill out an application. But if you want to get the largest possible benefit, there’s a bit more strategy involved. Here are three steps you should take right now so you can enjoy bigger Social Security checks in retirement.
1. Boost your income
The government bases your Social Security benefit on your average monthly income over your 35 highest-earning years, adjusted for inflation. So anything you can do to increase your income today — asking for a raise, switching employers, starting a side hustle, etc. — will help you get larger Social Security checks in retirement.
Image source: Getty Images.
There’s one exception to this. If you make more than $147,000 in 2022, boosting your income further won’t help your Social Security benefit. That’s because you only pay Social Security taxes on the first $147,000 you make this year. However, in future years, this limit will probably be higher.
People are also reading…
2. Choose your starting age carefully
You must wait until your full retirement age (FRA) to sign up for Social Security if you want the full benefit you’re entitled to based on your work history. That’s somewhere between 66 and 67 for today’s workers. But you can sign up earlier or later if you want.
You become eligible for Social Security at 62, but signing up before your FRA reduces your checks. Those who claim Social Security as soon as they become eligible only get 70% of their full benefit per check if their FRA is 67 or 75% if their FRA is 66.
Every month you delay Social Security increases your checks until you reach your maximum benefit at 70. That’s 124% of your full benefit per check if your FRA is 67 or 132% if your FRA is 66. But this doesn’t mean it’s always in your best interest to delay benefits.
If you have a terminal illness or some other reason to suspect you won’t live long, signing up early may actually be the better move for you. Or you might have to sign up early if you need your checks to help you cover expenses.
The important thing is to choose your starting age carefully, weighing the pros and cons of your decision. Signing up at random could cost you in the long run.
3. Coordinate with your spouse
Married couples should aim to maximize their household benefits, which means deciding on the ideal starting age for each person. When both partners qualify for Social Security in their own …….