Social Security: Is it possible to qualify for an annual bonus of $16,728? (2025)

There is no such thing as an “annual bonus” of $16,728″ for Social Security.

Furthermore, it is not really clear where this figure has been plucked from. A quick google search reveals plenty of articles with no evidence of it actually existing.

The Social Security programme has no hidden tricks or little bonuses: there is a very specific formula that is used to distribute welfare checks. All of these checks will be subject to a 3.2% increase next year due to the cost of living adjustment (COLA) increase that will be in place from January 2024.

GOOD NEWS: #SocialSecurity benefits will increase by 3.2% in 2024!

This is a much needed increase, but more must be done. I'm committed to protecting and expanding the Social Security benefits that our seniors rely on! pic.twitter.com/dS0jR8pwM8

— Rep. Terri A. Sewell (@RepTerriSewell) October 12, 2023

The best way to increase your welfare check is to know how it works and therefore what can be done to increase it.

How are Social Security checks calculated?

The SSA bases the Social Security entitlement on data gatheredthroughout your working lifewhich is formed into an earnings record. This information is than used, with a three-part process, to calculate the size of payments. These are: Average Indexed Monthly Earnings, the Primary Insurance Amount, and the age of claim.

Average Indexed Monthly Earnings(AIME) – The SSA uses a claimants work history information by collating their 35 best-paid years. The more money that was earned, the higher the monthly entitlement is. The upper earnings threshold is $160,200for this year.

Primary Insurance Amount(PIA) – Assuming that you wait until full retirement age of 66 years and two months before claiming Social Security, your PIA is the amount you’ll receive each month from the SSA.

Your PIA is comprised of:

  • 90% of the first $1,115 of your AIME;
  • 32% of any amount over $1,115 up to $6,721;
  • and 15% of any amount over $6,721

Age of claim– If you decide to claim Social Security before reaching that full retirement age,the size of the monthly entitlement will decrease. This is done on a sliding scale, with more than a quarter of the payment sizebeing lost if you claim at the age of 62.Alternatively, if you delay the payment until you are 70 you can add up to30% to your payment amount.

Social Security: Is it possible to qualify for an annual bonus of $16,728? (2025)

FAQs

Social Security: Is it possible to qualify for an annual bonus of $16,728? ›

Have you heard about the Social Security $16,728 yearly bonus? There's really no “bonus” that retirees can collect. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a specific formula based on your lifetime earnings to determine your benefit amount.

Who is eligible for the Social Security bonus? ›

This is 66 or 67 for most people, depending on when you were born. But there's a third option: Delay benefits until age 70. In doing so, you can get a Social Security bonus in the form of a higher benefit amount. The bonus is worth roughly 8% more for each year you delay benefits past full retirement age.

What is the 10 year rule for Social Security? ›

The number of credits you need to receive retirement benefits depends on when you were born. If you were born in 1929 or later, you need 40 credits (10 years of work). If you stop working before you have enough credits to be eligible for benefits, the credits will remain on your Social Security record.

Is there a lump sum bonus for Social Security? ›

You can receive a lump sum payment of up to six months of retirement benefits. Full retirement age is 66 for those born in 1943-1954, over age 66 on a sliding scale for those born after 1954-1959, and 67 for those born in 1960 or later. The lump sum option isn't available to those claiming benefits before FRA.

What is the maximum annual payout for Social Security? ›

The maximum Social Security benefit at full retirement age is $3,822 per month in 2024. It's $4,873 per month in 2024 if retiring at age 70 and $2,710 if retiring at age 62. A person's Social Security benefit amount depends on earnings, full retirement age and when they take benefits.

Who qualifies for the $1657 Social Security check? ›

One must either be over the age of sixty-five, blind and/or disabled. Additionally, they must have a limited income and resources as the program is need-based and aims to assist beneficiaries to cover basic costs for food and shelter.

Who else can receive Social Security benefits besides wage earners? ›

Most of the people receiving benefits are retired, but others receive benefits because they're: Someone with a qualifying disability. A spouse or child of someone getting benefits. A divorced spouse of someone getting or eligible for Social Security.

At what age is Social Security no longer taxed? ›

Social Security income can be taxable no matter how old you are. It all depends on whether your total combined income exceeds a certain level set for your filing status. You may have heard that Social Security income is not taxed after age 70; this is false.

Can I get a tax refund if my only income is Social Security? ›

You would not be required to file a tax return. But you might want to file a return, because even though you are not required to pay taxes on your Social Security, you may be able to get a refund of any money withheld from your paycheck for taxes.

What is the Social Security 5 year rule? ›

The Social Security five-year rule is the time period in which you can file for an expedited reinstatement after your Social Security disability benefits have been terminated completely due to work.

Can you get extra money from Social Security? ›

Has your income declined or have you experienced a loss of financial resources? You may be able to get additional income through the Supplemental Security Income program, which helps seniors and the disabled who have limited income and financial resources.

Are bonuses considered income for Social Security benefits? ›

The bonus payment, therefore, constitutes "wages" under the Social Security Act and is earnings for purposes of determining whether any monthly social security benefit is not payable.

What is the big retroactive check from Social Security? ›

The Retroactive Benefit Option is enticing to some because it can provide a relatively large lump sum payment. Invoking this option entitles you to receive missed monthly benefits retroactively for as far back as six months prior to filing your application with the Social Security Administration.

When a husband dies, does his wife get his Social Security? ›

Social Security survivors benefits are paid to widows, widowers, and dependents of eligible workers. This benefit is particularly important for young families with children.

Why are Americans getting $4800 from Social Security? ›

The fundamental goal of $4800 social security payment 2024 is to help citizens cope up with increased cost of living. No matter what all benefits you are receiving, this retirement check is yours. All those people who get their Social Security benefits 2024 every month are also getting these checks.

What is the lowest Social Security payment? ›

  • Social Security's special minimum benefit pays at least $49.40 per month in 2023 and $50.90 in 2024.
  • Social Security's special minimum benefit tops out at $1,033.50 per month in 2023 and $1,066.50 in 2024.
  • You'll receive 100% of the benefit if you file at full retirement age or later.
Mar 22, 2023

Who qualifies for an extra $144 added to their Social Security? ›

You must be enrolled in Original Medicare and pay your Part B premiums without state or local financial aid to be eligible for the giveback. Only some Medicare Advantage Plans offer this benefit, and in select service areas.

How to get $3,000 a month in Social Security? ›

Earnings of just $5,703 per month, or less than $68,500 per year, would suffice to get you to the point at which claiming Social Security at 70 would pay you that $3,000 per month amount.

Is the $1728 stimulus for seniors? ›

It's completely false that seniors are eligible for a $1,728 Medicare payment, a spokesperson for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services told USA TODAY in an emailed statement.

Why did I get an extra deposit from Social Security this month? ›

To be clear, the back-to-back deposits do not mean retirees are receiving extra money — it's just an early payment for the following month. This is slated to happen two more times this year, in August and November, according to a schedule of payments on the Social Security Administration's website.

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