Social Security Benefits Increased by $275 Monthly with Self-Employment

A 58-year-old consultant replaced low-earning years in her Social Security record, increasing benefits by $275 monthly and potentially adding nearly $99,000 over her lifetime. By recording $184,500 in net self-employment income in 2026, which is the Social Security wage cap, she paid the 12.4% self-employment Social Security tax. This strategy pushes lower earnings out of her top 35 years, resulting in a higher Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME). This move highlights the importance of maximizing earnings late in one’s career to optimize retirement benefits.