At what point do you max out Social Security?

You'll max out Social Security retirement benefits at age 70, at which point you can no longer earn delayed retirement credits. You also can't earn delayed retirement credits for spousal and survivor benefits. These benefits max out at full retirement age, which is 67 for anyone born after 1959.

What is the 35-year rule for Social Security?

The 35-year rule refers to the benefit formula Social Security uses. Your benefits are based on your highest 35 years of earnings. If you worked fewer than 35 years, the years you didn't work are calculated as $0.

At what age is Social Security no longer taxed?

Federal taxes on Social Security are based on your income, not your age. Up to 50% of your benefit is taxable if your income is between $25,000 and $34,000 (singles) or $32,000 and $44,000 (married couples). Above these thresholds, up to 85% of your benefit is taxable.

Why is it better to take Social Security at age 66 instead of 70?

It isn't necessarily better to take Social Security at 66 instead of 70. 66 is full retirement age for those born between 1943 and 1954. Claiming then helps these individuals avoid the early claiming benefit reduction and gives them access to their savings earlier. But waiting until 70 results in larger monthly benefits.

7 Ways to Increase Your Social Security Check

A Complete Guide to Maximizing Your Social Security Check

By Kailey Hagen – Updated Mar 4, 2026 at 2:53 PM EST | Fact-checked by Parker Hicks

Key Points

Maximizing Social Security requires earning more up to the taxable max each year.
Work at least 35 years using high-earning years to boost your average income calculation.
Delay claiming benefits past the full retirement age to increase payments by 8% annually.

Learning how to optimize your Social Security benefits can make a significant difference in your retirement planning. Social Security makes up about 30% of the income for people 65 and older. But increasing your Social Security requires careful planning.

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Taxable Income

Taxable income is the amount of income subject to taxation after deductions and exemptions.

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Person sitting on a bench near a waterway and bridge while talking on the phone and looking at documents. — Image source: Getty Images.

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Medicare

A U.S. government health insurance program primarily for people aged 65 and older, as well as some younger individuals with disabilities.

If you're already FRA but haven't turned 70 yet: You can request that Social Security suspend your benefits to earn delayed retirement credits, and then reinstate them later. Once you're 70, Social Security will automatically restart your payments if you haven't already had them reinstated.

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The bottom line

One of the biggest myths about Social Security is that increasing your payments is easy. But as you can see, maximizing your Social Security benefit requires you to work more, earn more, or delay benefits you may need well before age 70.

While Social Security is a lifeline for seniors in the U.S., retirement can be challenging when your benefit is your only source of income. That's why it's essential to invest for retirement as early as possible. However, if you're behind on saving, then working longer and delaying benefits are two effective strategies for maximizing your Social Security benefits.

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Maximizing Social Security: FAQs

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About the Author

Kailey Hagen, CFP, is a contributing Motley Fool retirement analyst covering Social Security, Medicare, and retirement planning. Before The Motley Fool, Kailey was a research analyst for Reviews.com focusing on credit and banking products. She is a Certified Financial Planner® and holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

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A Complete Guide to Maximizing Your Social Security Check