Were you born between the first and tenth of any month? Congratulations! This Wednesday, March 12, 2025, the Social Security money will be deposited into your account as a monthly birthday gift.
But be aware that it is not just for you: those born between the 11th and 20th will collect on the 19th, while those born between the 21st and 31st will collect on the 26th. As is customary, the SSA maintains a tight schedule.
Now, let’s talk about that eye-watering figure: $5,108 per month. Yes, you read it correctly. How do you calculate the maximum retirement amount that someone can receive? Spoiler: It is not for everyone. It takes a combination of a high salary, saintly patience, and a bit of luck.
The secret to being part of the $5,108 club (without millionaire inheritances)
First, forget about shortcuts. The SSA doesn’t magically give away giant checks. To enter this select group, you need three things:
- 35 years earning good salaries: As of 2025, you must have earned $176,100 a year (or more) for three and a half decades. Translation? You have to be one of those who pay taxes even for breathing. If one year you earned less, the maximum amount disappears a little.
- Delay retirement like a pro: The “official” age to retire is between 66 and 67, but if you hold out until you’re 70, your monthly payment goes up to an extra 24%. Think of it as a bonus for not hanging up your boots early.
- Ally yourself with inflation: The cost of living adjustment (COLA) rose 2.5% this year. It’s not a big deal, but every penny adds up when we’re talking about large amounts.
Who’s able to get the maximum retirement payment?
Why does nearly no one reach $5,108? Only 6% of those earning $50,000 in the 1990s would have their income “inflated” to $120,000 today. However, if they did not keep that pace for 35 years, it is not applicable.
But don’t worry: you can use the tool ssa.gov/estimator to begin predicting how well you are on track for a comfortable retirement. What if you retire at 67? What if you work until you are 75? There, you can simulate it.
Also, review your credits (you need 40 to qualify) and correct any errors in your history. Did you find a year in which your payments did not appear? Fix it now to prevent them from being counted as zero! Fun fact: The SSA considers not only how much you earned, but also how it “ages.” They use the AIME calculation to adjust your previous earnings for current inflation.
If, after all of the calculations, you do not reach U$5,108, the average payment is still $1,850, which is not bad in 2025. As you have already seen, 94% of beneficiaries do not reach the maximum, so instead of chasing that number, pursue an amount that will provide you with a comfortable old age with everything you need covered.
