Come on—Social Security was never intended to be your only source of money during retirement. As of May 2025, the average benefit for retired workers is a little over $2,000 per month. That totals a total of about $24,000 annually, and in today’s economy, that’s simply not enough to live on, much less with rising healthcare expenses, rent, groceries, and all the rest going up in price.
But here’s the good news: you can substantially increase your Social Security benefits. And no, it is not merely a question of waiting for the annual COLA (Cost-of-Living Adjustment). There are smart, tactical decisions you can make today—even if you are already well along in your working life—to increase your monthly checks and perhaps add thousands to your annual income.
1. Accumulate your earnings while you’re working
Your Social Security Administration calculates your retirement benefit from your top 35 years of income. The higher you earn (up to a cap), the higher your benefit. In 2025, the top income that is taken into account when calculating Social Security is $176,100. Whatever you earn above that doesn’t affect your benefit—but if you are earning substantially less than that, every raise does count.
Suppose you earn $70,000 a year. If you receive a raise or start a side job that earns you another $5,000, that extra money can contribute to boosting your future Social Security checks. It won’t seem like much at the moment, but the extra dollars over time could mean larger monthly checks in retirement.
2. Strive to work for at least 35 years
Your Social Security benefit is computed based on your 35 highest-paid years. If you’ve only worked 30 years, the other five years are filled in with zeros that decrease your average. Having even a year or two more of work — especially if your income has gone up — can replace less well-paid or zero-income years, making you more beneficial.
Here’s a simple illustration: If you’re earning more in your 60s than you used to during your 30s (which most people are), working extra years beyond the 35-year mark can exchange lower-paying, older years for higher-paying, newer years. That trade can increase your monthly check and move your retirement income into better health.
3. Delay taking Social Security after full retirement age
Full retirement age is 67 if you were born in 1960 or later. You can start taking benefits at age 62, but your checks will be lower permanently. If you wait past FRA, your benefit increases by 8% per year that you wait, up to age 70.
Exactly, if you qualify for $2,000/month at 67, waiting until 70 could bring that up to about $2,480/month—or nearly $6,000 more each year. All compounded over the years.
Delays, of course, do involve risks. If your health is not terrific or you do not have a long life expectancy, waiting may not be worth it to you. But for most people, it’s a sure bet to guarantee a higher benefit.
Read this later: Goodbye Medicare as you know it – Changes with the WISeR model coming Jan. 1, 2026 in these states with affected services
Don’t Leave Money on the Table
You don’t have to accept the status quo. With a few smart decisions—earning more, working a few more years, and waiting out your claim — you could watch your Social Security benefits rise by over $24,000 per year. Couple that with savings in a 401(k) or IRA, and you’re well on your way to a less stressful, more secure retirement.
