Even small moves can significantly increase your monthly payments.
Think tank proposes capping Social Security benefits at $100,000
A Washington think tank has proposed capping annual Social Security benefits for married couples at $100,000 as a way to reduce a looming deficit in retirement trust funds.
The average retired worker receives a little more than $2,000 per month in Social Security benefits, according to April 2026 data from the Social Security Administration.
Fortunately, there are some strategies that can help some retirees maximize their monthly payments. These little-known rules can increase your check by hundreds of dollars a month.
1. You can cancel the application decision
If you file for Social Security before your full retirement age (FRA), your payments will be reduced by up to 30%. This reduction is usually permanent. However, if you change your mind within 12 months of making your early application, you can reverse your decision and delay your benefit payment to get a bigger payout.
You only have one chance to reverse your decision and you will also need to repay any benefits you have already received. However, if you successfully withdraw your application, you can reapply at any time.
If you can’t pay back your benefits, you can also suspend Social Security after you reach your FRA. In this case, you can simply stop collecting payments by age 70 and then receive payments adjusted to account for the amount withheld. You will continue to receive these high payments for the remainder of your retirement.
The average retired worker collects about $850 more per month at age 70 than at age 62, according to December 2025 data from the Social Security Administration. So if you’ve already applied early, it may be to your advantage to reverse your decision and get a bigger check.
2. Your salary may increase after working for 35 years.
The benefits you receive by applying for FRA are determined by your work history, specifically your years of service and career earnings.
Typically, 10 years of service is required to qualify for retirement benefits, but less than 35 years of service means your average earnings will be zero. If you’re about to reach 35 years in your career, it may be wise to keep working a little longer to reach that threshold and increase your benefits.
3. Contributing to a Roth account reduces your taxes.
Your total income is your adjusted gross income (including 401(k) and traditional IRA withdrawals) plus tax-free interest and half of your annual Social Security benefits. If this number exceeds $25,000 per year ($32,000 per year for married couples filing jointly), you will owe federal taxes on your benefits.
Data source: Social Security Administration. Table by author.
However, Roth account withdrawals do not count toward your total income. If most of your savings are in this type of account, you can reduce your total income below the limit and potentially avoid federal taxes on your benefits.
For example, let’s say you receive $24,000 a year from Social Security and plan to withdraw $40,000 a year from your retirement savings. If you were withdrawing that money from your 401(k), your total income would be $52,000 per year. $40,000 from my 401(k) and $12,000 from Social Security. In this case, you will have to pay taxes on 85% of your benefits.
Social Security is an important source of income for millions of retirees, and by taking small steps to increase your payments, you can make the most of your benefits and enjoy a more comfortable retirement.
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