Why the $4,194 Max Social Security Benefit Is a Fantasy
You can earn up to $4,194 monthly from Social Security. But will you? Sadly, the answer's probably no.
There are three main requirements to qualify for the maximum Social Security benefit. They involve when you claim Social Security relative to your FRA, how long you work, and how much you've earned. And it's not easy to tick all three boxes.
Your Social Security income rises when you delay your benefit start date beyond your full retirement age (FRA). FRAs vary from 66 to 67, depending on your birth year. For every month after your FRA you hold off receiving benefits, you'll earn delayed retirement credits. These increase your Social Security income by 24% to 32%.
Source Fool.com