The maximum taxable earnings are the amounts of income subject to Social Security payroll taxes in a given year. In 2025, it's $176,100. This will rise to $184,500 in 2026. This is often the step that bars people from taking home the max benefit. The average person simply doesn't make enough to do this.

You may think you've done all you can to maximize your Social Security benefits. You worked hard for decades. You increased your income over your career. Now you're staring at the application screen and wondering if it's finally time to start receiving ...

Test your basic knowledge of filing for Social Security benefits in our 10 question quick quiz.

You're allowed to claim Social Security as early as 62, but doing it so early reduces your checks by 5/9 of 1% per month for up to 36 months and then 5/12 of 1% per month thereafter. If your FRA is 67, you shrink your benefit by 30% when you claim right away at 62.

There's absolutely no debate as to whether you should take Social Security. Everyone should, at some point. But when you should take Social Security is a wide-open question—one that requires a lot of careful consideration because of the answer's financial consequences.

The SSA’s final October payments went out this week, and some beneficiaries will see two deposits in October — including an early SSI payment on Oct. 31 — before the next checks arrive