New maximum social security checks could give some Americans up to $5,251 a month. Here’s who qualifies
Some of the millions of Americans who receive Social Security benefits may see surprisingly larger paychecks this year.
Given the latest cost-of-living adjustment of 2.8 percent, up from 2.5 percent in 2025, some beneficiaries will see the maximum monthly check increase to $5,251 — a significant jump from the $2,071 average Social Security check.
Those who receive the maximum benefit will take home more than $63,000 in 2026, which is on par with what the average senior household spends in a year, according to the Motley Fool.
While the maximum benefit has a far greater appeal than the average, there are three specific requirements to meet to receive the biggest payout.
To qualify, you must have worked 35 years before applying for the benefits, paid the maximum Social Security taxes for all of those 35 years and applied for Social Security at age 70.
Since Social Security is funded by payroll taxes, how much people earn and contribute in taxes directly impacts the size of the benefits they receive in retirement.
The Social Security Administration determines benefits based on a worker’s highest 35 years of earnings, adjusted for inflation, according to Yahoo Finance.
However, people can still claim Social Security with a shorter work history.
Checks can be received by people with as little as 10 years in the work force, though the payout drops significantly for those who do not cross the 35-year mark.
To get the biggest benefit of a given year, you must also wait until the age of 70 to apply for Social Security benefits.
By waiting, your monthly checks grow over time until you qualify for the largest benefit, according to the Motley Fool.
Those who turned 70 in 2025 received $5,108 per month last year. Given the cost-of-living adjustment for 2026, that number jumped to $5, 251 per month.
