We’ll explain below.

How much money do I need to make to get the maximum benefit?

The SSA takes your highest 35 working years of earnings and your age when you begin collecting benefits.

To receive the highest Social Security benefits, you’ll have to earn at least themaximum taxable amountannually.

For 2025, that’s $176,100.

In 2015, the amount was $118,500.

Any earnings made over the maximum amount isn’t taxed and won’t count toward your total earnings.

What’s the highest amount of Social Security money I can get each month?

Here’s how much you might make each month in 2025, broken down by age.

Age 62 is the earliest at which you’re able to apply.

How does the COLA increase affect my benefits?

However, beneficiaries can look forward to the annual COLA adjustment for a boost in their checks.

2024’s COLA was 3.2%, which was preceded by 2023’s massive 8.7% increase.

For more, check out theSocial Security payment scheduleandthe Social Security and SSDI cheat sheet.