Ideally, you’ll save well for retirement so that you don’t have to deal with financial stress in your old age. But there’s a good chance you’ll also become dependent on Social Security to some extent.

That’s why it’s so important to do everything in your power to get the highest score Social security paycheck. And if you play your cards right in the new year, you could enjoy a bigger benefit once you retire. Here are three key actions to take in 2025.

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1. Boost your income

The Social Security Administration (SSA) calculates your monthly retirement benefit based on the amount of your income. So, the more money you earn during your career, the higher your salary will be. This is why it pays to try to increase your income in 2025.

Of course, a higher salary also means more short-term financial room to not only cover your bills, but also fund your expenses. 401(k) or IRA. But it could also lead to more Social Security in retirement. So, to that end, work on developing your professional skills, as this could land you a promotion along with a raise.

Also note that it is not only income from paid employment that can allow you to access more social security. Additional income also counts. So even if your salary stays the same all year, if you can earn an extra $5,000 through a lucrative side job, it could help boost your Social Security checks in retirement.

2. Make sure your income statement is correct

It is not a given that the SSA will have accurate income data on file. And if your income is under-reported, it could result in a lower monthly benefit down the road.

Be sure to check your income statement at some point in 2025 to ensure it is accurate. You can do this by create an account on the SSA website and access your most recent income statement. This statement will contain a wealth of useful information, such as an estimate of your future monthly Social Security benefit.

3. Keep working instead of retiring and claiming benefits

If you will be be 62 years old in 2025, this means you will be able to start claiming Social Security, since that is the earliest age to file. But continuing to work could pay off for several reasons.

First, wait until full retirement age helps you avoid a reduction in your monthly Social Security benefit. And even if you reach full retirement age in 2025, delaying your application beyond that date will result in an increase in lifetime benefits. You are financially rewarded for deferring your application until you are 70 years old.

Continuing to work at this stage of life could also lead to more social security. The SSA takes into account your 35 highest-paid years of earnings when calculating your monthly benefit. If you can replace a year of lower earnings with higher earnings, you could get a bigger benefit once you decide to enroll.

The decisions you make in the new year could impact the amount you receive from Social Security down the road. Keep these steps in mind, as they could lead to a more financially stable retirement.

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