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some of the millions of people Americans receiving Social Security benefits Salaries could be surprisingly increased this year.
In view of the latest cost of living If the adjustment is 2.8%, up from 2.5% in 2025, the maximum monthly check for some beneficiaries would increase to $5,251, which is a significant increase from the average Social Security check of $2,071.
Those receiving the highest benefits will take home more than $63,000 in 2026, which is about what the average senior household spends in a year, According to Motley Fool.
While maximum benefits are more attractive than average benefits, there are three specific requirements to get the maximum payout.
To qualify, you must work for 35 years before applying for benefits, pay the maximum Social Security tax during those 35 years, and apply for Social Security at age 70.
Because Social Security is funded by payroll taxes, people’s income and tax payments directly affect the size of benefits they receive in retirement.
The Social Security Administration determines benefits based on a worker’s highest 35-year earnings, adjusted for inflation. Those who contributed the most during those years and waited until age 70 would receive the highest payouts, According to Yahoo Finance. The maximum taxable limit for individual taxpayers is $184,500, which means you’ll maximize your final benefit check if your income is equal to or above this limit.
However, people with shorter work histories can still apply for Social Security.
People who have worked for less than 10 years can receive checks, but those who have worked for 35 years or less will see their payments drop significantly.
To receive the maximum benefit for a given year, you must also wait until age 70 to apply for Social Security benefits. By waiting, your monthly checks will increase over time until you qualify for the maximum benefit, The Motley Fool reports.
Those who turned 70 in 2025 and qualified for the maximum benefit received $5,108 a month last year. Adjusted for cost of living, that number jumps to $5 by 2026, or $251 per month.
Although the maximum benefit is attractive, three and a half years of high income and waiting until age 70 is a daunting task for most people.
According to the Bipartisan Policy Center, only 10% of beneficiaries wait until age 70 to file a claim.
While maxing out your Social Security benefits is a goal for many, there are other ways to increase your benefits while still working, including negotiating a higher salary or changing jobs to increase your income, according to Yahoo Finance.
