How to increase social security payments?

[Jesse69]

Yeah, in summer 2005 my SSDI was only $719 a month. Then I worked 7 months at $20, 4 months at $25, 6 months at $28, and 10 months at $32.10 /hr. After 10 months I had to reapply for SSDI, and pay back $10,000. But when I got back on SSDI it went up to $1095 monthly because of all those months I worked. So you need to work a high paying job to really increase your SSI or SSDI, like a good high paying temp job.

[accufitgolf]

Reed...Thanks

From the site:

The maximum benefit depends on the age a worker chooses to retire. For example, for a worker retiring at age 66 in 2012, the amount is $2,513. This figure is based on earnings at the maximum taxable amount for every year after age 21.

Also what Reed said, which was going to be my next question:

The maximum taxable earnings amount in 1977 was $16,500. It increased each year until 2012 it was $110,100.

Again..thanks to Reed.

[Chip_Vanilla]

Originally Posted by accufitgolf

Maybe not a simple question but if one was to retire today (at 65 and whatever months) what would be the max Social Security they could collect? Also what would have been the general breakdown of what they would have had to earn to obtain the max.

There might be many variations but........

Thanks

There is a quick estimator on ssa.gov, or a more accurate calculator if you wish to register. It's a formula based on your income for the three most recent years when you earned the most, or some such thing. It does the figuring for you.

[accufitgolf]

Chip

Thanks. I have been retired for 8 years now. My question was one more of curiousity and more trying to gather information for others as will your post help.

Thanks