For most retirees, Social Security income is a necessity to make ends meet. Based on more than two decades of annual surveys conducted by national pollster Gallup, no fewer than 80% of then-current retirees in any given year rely on their Social Security check as either a "major" or "minor" source of income.

But the amount each retiree receives can differ drastically based on a number of factors. Here's an in-depth look at the items responsible for determining Social Security benefits, how much retired workers are taking home each month from ages 62 through 99 and over, and how future retirees can increase their eventual payout.

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Source Fool.com