‘I’m in my peak earning years’: I’m working beyond 70. Will that help increase my Social Security?
MarketWatch
β’Sat, 08 Aug 2026 19:00:00 GMT
π° What Happened
A MarketWatch personal-finance column answers a reader who is working and earning beyond age 70 and asks whether continuing to work will increase their Social Security benefit. The column explains how working in a saver's peak earning years can raise their Social Security payment.
π The Backstory
Social Security benefits are calculated from a worker's highest-earning years, and delaying retirement and earning more can replace lower-earning years in that calculation, boosting monthly benefits. Working past age 70 also means Delayed Retirement Credits are maximised since credits stop accruing at 70.
π― Why It Matters
For near-retirees, whether to keep working depends on how much it can raise their retirement income. The advice matters because it helps readers decide if continuing to work into their 70s is financially worthwhile for a higher Social Security check.
A MarketWatch personal-finance column answers a reader who is working and earning beyond age 70 and asks whether continuing to work will increase their Social Security benefit. The column explains how working in a saver's peak earning years can raise their Social Security payment.
Social Security benefits are calculated from a worker's highest-earning years, and delaying retirement and earning more can replace lower-earning years in that calculation, boosting monthly benefits. Working past age 70 also means Delayed Retirement Credits are maximised since credits stop accruing at 70.
For near-retirees, whether to keep working depends on how much it can raise their retirement income. The advice matters because it helps readers decide if continuing to work into their 70s is financially worthwhile for a higher Social Security check.