just realized the maximum social security benefit is way higher than i thought. so if you wait until 70 to claim in 2024, you could get almost $4,900 a month? that's wild. but here's the catch - most people don't get anywhere close to that. the average is like $1,900, which is honestly pretty rough for retirement.

turns out you need to be a top earner for 35 straight years to hit that maximum. like, you gotta earn at least $168k annually (that was the wage base back then). and you can't just work a few years - they count zeroes for any year you didn't work.

the age thing is interesting too. claim at 62 and your maximum drops to $2,700. wait til 70 and you get the full $4,873. so basically, if you can afford to wait, you should. but realistically, how many people can actually do that? anyone else just aiming for whatever they can get at this point?