Retirement Social Security

How Married Couples Can Collect Up to $10,362 a Month in Social Security in 2026

Yes, it's possible to earn the maximum, but it's far from easy.

By Chris Kissell , Edited by Laura Hohenstein

Updated Aug. 20, 2026

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Earning a large Social Security benefit really helps you to free up your retirement budget. But what is the most you could collect as a married couple?

In 2026, the most an individual could earn is $5,181 a month. That means a top-earning couple could rake in a combined $10,362 a month in Social Security payments, or more than $124,000 annually in inflation-protected income.

But what must you do to reach that maximum payment?

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How to earn the maximum in Social Security

To get the top monthly Social Security payment, you would have to clear several hurdles.

For starters, you must work at least 35 years and earn at or above the Social Security maximum for every one of those years. You then have to wait until age 70 to file for Social Security benefits.

This combination would entitle you to collect the maximum amount possible from Social Security.

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How many retirees earn the maximum in Social Security

Very few people meet the necessary criteria to get the top Social Security benefit. In particular, earning at or above the maximum for 35 years is a tall order.

Just 6% of workers earn above the taxable maximum in any given year, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Over a working lifetime, around 20% of workers exceed the taxable maximum in at least one year.

In addition, only a small share of seniors wait until age 70 to file for benefits. A 2023 survey found that a mere 10% of nonretired Americans planned to wait that long before filing.

And remember, to earn the top $10,362 in monthly benefits, both members of a couple would have to meet all the criteria.

So, while earning the maximum in Social Security benefits is mathematically possible, it's also rare.

The Social Security reality for most retirees

The reality is that most workers have virtually no hope of collecting the maximum in Social Security benefits.

As of May 2026, the average retired worker collected $2,082 a month. A couple combining their income could expect to average about $4,164 in monthly Social Security income.

So, rather than dreaming of achieving a goal that is likely out of reach, your time is probably better spent simply trying to get as much as you could from Social Security. Here are some tips for doing so.

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Coordinate claiming ages

A little planning might help you earn a larger Social Security benefit. For example, aim to have the highest-earning member of the couple delay filing until age 70 if at all possible.

Not only would this get you the largest possible check, but it also could boost any future survivor benefit.

And speaking of the survivor benefit, you could boost your income here too by waiting to file. Although payments start at 71.5% of your spouse's benefit, you could get up to 100% if you wait until full retirement age to file.

Fill in low- or no-earning years

Your 35 highest-earning years ultimately determine the size of your Social Security benefit. If you work fewer than 35 years, the SSA would fill in those years with zeroes when compiling your earnings history.

So, if you have several years where you earned nothing or a modest amount, consider working longer to boost the totals.

Understand how spousal benefits work

The lower-earning member of a couple could collect up to 50% of the higher-earning member's full retirement amount.

Although you could claim spousal benefits as early as age 62, you would get a bigger payment if you wait until your full retirement age to claim. For most people today, full retirement age is 67.

The difference in the benefit is significant. Claiming at age 62 entitles you to just 32.5% of your spouse's benefit, rather than the 50% you get for waiting.

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Delay filing for Social Security benefits

Ultimately, the single best way to boost your Social Security benefits is probably to delay filing for them.

Most workers are eligible to claim Social Security beginning at the age of 62. But if you file at this age, your benefit would be reduced by 30% compared to if you wait until your full retirement age to file.

For those who were born in 1960 or later, full retirement age is 67.

In addition, for every year you delay filing for Social Security between full retirement age and the age of 70, your monthly benefit grows by 8%.

After the age of 70, there is no additional benefit to waiting any longer.

Bottom line

Who doesn't dream of collecting the maximum in Social Security benefits? Unfortunately, for the vast majority of workers, this is simply not going to happen.

So, instead of wishing for the nearly impossible, focus on strategies that could help you meaningfully grow your money more by increasing what your household ultimately collects.

By making sure your earnings record is full and carefully timing when you apply for benefits, you could boost your monthly Social Security payment throughout your retirement.

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