3 ways to get more benefits in 2025

Ideally, you want to save well for retirement so that you don’t have to deal with financial stress once your senior years arrive. But there’s a good chance you’ll end up depending on Social Security to some degree, too.

That’s why it’s so important to do what you can to score the highest Social security payslip. And if you play your cards right in the new year, you can set yourself up for a bigger advantage when you retire. Here are three important measures to be taken in 2025.

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The Social Security Administration (SSA) calculates your monthly retirement benefit based on the income you’ve earned. So, the more you earn during your career, the higher salary you can get. Therefore, it pays to try to increase your earnings in 2025.

Of course, a higher paycheck also means more financial wiggle room in the short term to not only cover your bills, but do things like fund your 401(k) or IRA. But it can also lead to more social security in retirement. So to that end, work on developing your job skills as it can get you a promotion that comes with a raise.

You should also know that it is not only earnings from a paid job that can set you up for more social security. Side hustle income also counts. So even if your salary stays the same year-round, if you manage to earn an extra $5,000 from a lucrative side gig, it could help boost your Social Security checks in retirement.

It is not a given that the SSA will have accurate earnings data on record for you. And if your income is underreported, it could lead to a smaller monthly payment later.

Be sure to check your earnings sometime in 2025 to make sure they are accurate. You can do that creating an account on the SSA website and access your latest earnings statement. This statement will contain useful information, such as an estimate of your future monthly Social Security benefit.

If you will be turning 62 in 2025, that means you’ll be eligible to start claiming Social Security, since that’s the earliest age you’ll need to file. But continuing to work can pay off for a few reasons.

First, waiting until full retirement age helps you avoid a reduction in your monthly Social Security benefit. And even if you reach full retirement age in 2025, delaying your application past that point will result in an increased benefit for life. You are financially rewarded for delaying your claim until you turn 70.

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