I am 81 years of a age and have been collecting Social Security from the age go 65. I maxed out my payments to Social Security for most of my working career. Is there a possibility that I can increase my payments now?

Hi,

It's not likely. The benefit amount payable on your own account is based on your best 35 years of inflation adjusted earnings. In theory, you could work and earn enough to replace one or more of your previous best earnings years, which would result in at least some increase in benefits. Probably not a large increase, however.

Otherwise, the only possibility would be if you qualify for benefits on someone else's record for which you haven't previously applied. If you are a widow(er), or were married for more than 10 years to someone who has since died, you may want to check out that possibility with Social Security.

Best, Jerry