Social Security: 3 ways to get more benefits in 2025

Ideally, you’ll save well for retirement so you don’t have to deal with financial stress as you get older. However, it is also likely that you will rely on Social Security to some extent.

That’s why it’s so important to do your best to get the highest Social Security benefit. And if you use your card right in the new year, you can enjoy greater benefits in retirement. We will take three key actions in 2025:

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1. Increase your income

The Social Security Administration (SSA) calculates your monthly retirement benefit based on how much income you have earned. So the more money you earn over the course of your career, the higher your salary will be. That’s why it’s a good idea to try to increase your income in 2025.

Of course, a higher salary means you have more financial headroom to not only cover your bills in the short term, but to do things like fund your 401(k) or IRA. However, it may also provide you with higher Social Security benefits in retirement. So, make an effort to develop your professional skills for this. Then you may get a promotion along with a pay raise.

You should also know that it’s not just your income from a salaried job that qualifies you for higher Social Security benefits. Side income is also important. So even if your salary stays the same all year, earning an extra $5,000 from a lucrative side job could help boost your Social Security check in retirement.

2. Make sure your income records are accurate

There is no guarantee that SSA will have your accurate income data on its records. And if your income is underreported, your future monthly benefits may be smaller.

Please check your earnings records at some point in 2025 to ensure they are accurate. Simply create an account on the SSA website and access your most recent earnings statement. This statement contains a lot of useful information, such as an estimate of your future monthly Social Security benefits.

3. Keep working instead of retiring and claiming benefits.

This means that if you turn 62 in 2025, you can start claiming Social Security because that’s the earliest age you can start claiming it. But if you keep putting in the work, it will pay off for several reasons.

First, waiting until your full retirement age helps prevent your monthly Social Security benefit from being reduced. And even if you reach full retirement age in 2025, your lifetime benefits will be greater if you delay filing past that point. Delaying your claim until you are 70 pays off financially.

If you continue to work at that stage in your life, you may be able to receive higher Social Security benefits. SSA considers your highest 35 years of earnings when calculating your monthly benefit. If you can turn your lower income into a higher income over the course of a year, you will enjoy greater benefits if you decide to join.

The decisions you make in the new year may affect how much you receive from Social Security. Keep these moves in mind as they can lead to a more financially secure retirement.