As much as the 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) is projected to be 2.2%, there are millions of Americans who are able to optimize their Social Security benefit through clever planning. From delayed retirement credits to benefit optimization as a spouse, these nine smart steps enabled through SSA regulations and financial planners are the unlockers of maximum monthly payments in 2026 and beyond.
1. Stretch your work-life to 35 years
Social Security calculates benefits using your 35 highest-earning years. If you’ve worked fewer than 35 years, zeros fill the gap, reducing your average indexed monthly earnings (AIME). Continuing to work replaces low-earning or empty years with higher income. For example, replacing a $30,000 year with a $70,000 year could increase your monthly benefit by $100–$150. Self-employed individuals should ensure accurate income reporting to avoid undercounting.
2. Delay benefits to Full Retirement Age (FRA)
Waiting to claim until age 62 lowers benefits up to 30%, but claiming at FRA (66 years and 10 months for the 1959 class) gets 100% of your primary insurance benefit (PIA). You get 0.67% in delayed retirement credits for each additional month after FRA, up to 125.3% at age 70. A benefit of $1,800 at FRA increases to $2,253 a month if claimed at age 70.
3. Cash in on spousal and survivor benefits
Dual benefits can be maximized by coordinating claims for married individuals with low earnings:
- Lower-income spouses get up to 50% of their spouse’s PIA at FRA.
- Survivors retain the greater of their own or what their deceased partner was receiving.
- Divorced spouses with 10 or more years of marriage continue to receive spousal benefits if their former partner has not yet applied.
For a better grasp read this article, Who is entitled to a deceased person’s Social Security and who is eligible to receive SSA survivors benefits?
4. Minimize earnings-test penalties
Previous work and accrual of benefits before FRA leads to cuts in the event of earnings above $23,400 annually (2025). A rise in 2026 due to inflation will increase the threshold. A $1 reduction in benefits per $2 earned in excess of the exemption exists. No limit on earnings exists after FRA is attained.
5. Maximize tax efficiency
Up to 85% of Social Security benefits could be taxable if provisional income is $34,000 (single filing) or $44,000 (joint filing). Taxable income can be reduced by:
- Tax-free withdrawal of funds from Roth IRAs.
- Distribution of required minimum distributions (RMDs) to charity.
Rollover of investments to tax-free bonds.
6. Synchronize with pension plans
Government workers that are covered by pension plans like CSRS or FERS may be subject to Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) reduction. Reducing the latter requires having 30+ years of Social Security-covered work to minimize the penalty.
7. Appeal overpayment decisions proactively
The SSA collected $4.9 billion in overpayments in 2024. Ask for a waiver in 30 days upon notification of an overpayment to avoid rapid benefit cessation. The Social Security Overpayment Fairness Act before Congress could lengthen the 30-day period to 120 days so that there is time to appeal errors.
8. Monitor legislative developments
The Senior Citizens League (TSCL) advocates for repayment of refunded overpayments in a lump sum of $495. While not automatic in 2026, the proposal reflects the importance of following congressional updates impacting benefit computation.
9. Make full use of any online resources SSA provides on an annual basis
mySocialSecurity on the SSA website gives individualized benefit estimates. Check your earnings record each year to fix mistakes, one wiped out $10,000 earnings a year could equal $30–$50/month fewer in retirement.
2026 tax thresholds for Social Security benefits
| Filing Status | Provisional Income | Taxable Benefits |
| Single | < $34,000 | 0% |
| Single | $34,000–$44,000 | 50% |
| Single | > $44,000 | 85% |
| Married (Joint) | < $44,000 | 0% |
| Married (Joint) | $44,000–$64,000 | 50% |
| Married (Joint) | > $64,000 | 85% |
Creating a smarter 2026 strategy
Maximizing Social Security is all about juggling short-term and long-term requirements. Awaiting benefits, maximizing spousal benefits, and tax-friendliness may add more monthly deposits than COLA increases. With changes in 2026’s FRA and potential legislative action applying, prudent planning ahead is still the case. Cross-check these practices with SSA publications or a fiduciary planner to fit your own scheme.
Read more: Social Security: What is the Full Retirement Age (FRA) if you were born in 1956
Read more: Social Security Form 1696: How to fill out the SSA document to appoint a representative?
