As the end of the year approaches, many Americans are focusing on long-term financial planning, particularly regarding retirement and Social Security benefits.
The maximum monthly Social Security check for 2025 has been set at $5,108, reflecting a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).
However, only a small percentage of the population qualifies for this amount. The good news is that with strategic planning now, you can significantly increase your benefits for 2026.
Reaching the maximum Social Security check is not a matter of luck, but rather a combination of factors such as your work history, retirement age, marital status, and other important decisions.
Although the average benefit for a retiree in January 2025 is estimated to be $1,976 (up $49 from 2024), it is still well below the maximum, there are clear paths to significantly increasing what can be received.
According to the most recent data (2024) from the Federal Reserve’s Report on the Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households, 64% of non-retirees had a retirement account, implying that 36% had no retirement savings at all, so it is critical to understand how everything works and how to maximize benefits.
What to do to receive the maximum Social Security benefits in 2026?
There are two critical factors that can help you receive the maximum Social Security benefits in 2026 and beyond. They are:
Early Retirement (Age 62 in 2025): The maximum benefit would be $2,831 per month.
Full Retirement Age (FRA in 2025): The maximum benefit would increase to $4,018 per month.
Delay until age 70 (in 2025): The maximum benefit would soar to $5,108 per month.
What if you applied for Social Security benefits too early?
For those who regret starting their Social Security benefits too soon, there is a valuable option, but it comes with some stipulations. The Social Security Administration allows payments to be “stopped” if they have been in effect for less than 12 months.
This decision includes a full refund of all benefits received up to that point, including Medicare premiums and any applicable taxes.
Once the money is repaid, the beneficiary can reapply at a later date for a higher monthly amount, but it is important to note that Social Security will automatically begin payments at age 70 with the benefit maximized.
