5 Little-Known Rules That Can Increase Your Social Security Payments

We research all brands listed and may earn a fee from our partners. Research and financial considerations may influence how brands are displayed. Not all brands are included. Learn more.

Retirement Social Security Share Share Close Mail Page URL https://money.com/rules-to-increase-social-security-payments/ Link copied! 5 Little-Known Rules That Can Increase Your Social Security Payments By: Marc Guberti Marc Guberti Marc Guberti is a personal finance writer who hosts Breakthrough Success, a podcast where he teaches listeners how to grow their businesses and achieve personal transformations. Has also written: The One Withdrawal Decision That Could Upend Your Retirement The Rise of the 'Digital Nomad' Retiree Lifestyle This Simple Spreadsheet Could Change Your Financial Life What Everyone in Their 60s Should Do Right Now to Protect Social Security Income Warren Buffett’s Biggest Warning for Anyone Nearing Retirement See full bio Published: Feb 13, 2026 4 min read Getty Images Strategic planning is key when claiming Social Security, but keeping up with all the rules surrounding your benefits can be a challenge. Missing out on these details can reduce your benefits, and small moves you make today could boost them overtime. Here are five Social Security rules you may not know. Must ReadExperts are Bullish on Gold — Here's How to Get InRetirees: How a Small Gold Allocation Can Soften Losses When the Stock Market WobblesWarren Buffett on Market Volatility — and 3 Ways You Can Take Advantage 1. The earnings test disappears at full retirement age If you claim your Social Security benefits before your full retirement age (66 or 67, depending on when you were born) and continue working and earning above a certain threshold, you’ll be subjected to the Social Security Administration's (SSA) earnings test. The test temporarily lowers your benefits before you reach full retirement age, but then you get money added to your benefits once you reach full retirement age. This idea behind the rule is to postpone some of your benefits so you can get them during a time when you’re no longer earning an income through work. The earnings test doesn't apply once you reach full retirement age. Pet Protection: See Lemonade's pet insurance options — save and protect your cat or dog from high vet bills 2. You can pause and restart benefits to grow them Most people know they can become claiming Social Security at 62, but you may not know that you can pause your benefits once you reach full retirement age. If you do so, your benefits will increase by up to 8% per year, plus inflation. They’ll restart at age 70, though you can restart them before that, too. This strategy can work well for people who decide to return to work after claiming Social Security or prefer to use their nest egg as a financial bridge that covers living expenses for a few years, letting their benefits grow undisturbed.

Free Stock Opportunity: Get up to $1,000 in stock with a new, funded SoFi Invest account 3. Divorced? You may qualify for a spousal benefit If you are divorced after being married for at least 10 consecutive years and are currently unmarried, you may qualify for up to 50% of your ex-spouse’s full retirement benefit. Claiming this benefit does not impact how much your ex-spouse earns from Social Security, and you can even claim it if your ex-spouse has remarried. Divorced retirees who didn’t earn high incomes can benefit from this rule if their ex-spouse was a high earner. 4. You can withdraw your claim once and start over Some people immediately regret tapping into Social Security early. Luckily, the Social Security Administration offers a one-time “do-over.” Within 12 months of filing, you can withdraw your application, repay all benefits received and restart later. That way, you end up with higher Social Security checks when you decide to claim your benefits in the future. Save Smarter: Take control of your money with the Rocket Money budgeting app 5. COLAs still apply if you wait Cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) will increase your Social Security payouts regardless of whether you claim them right away, suspend benefits after full retirement age or wait until you turn 70 to tap into the program. Retirees aren’t missing out on inflation protection while waiting, and waiting can result in a much higher lifetime benefit. Must ReadExperts are Bullish on Gold — Here's How to Get InRetirees: How a Small Gold Allocation Can Soften Losses When the Stock Market WobblesWarren Buffett on Market Volatility — and 3 Ways You Can Take Advantage