Overview

Welcome to Maximize My Social Security — we’re glad you’re here! This article is designed to help you hit the ground running and understand how to use the software with confidence.

Note: If you’re more of a visual learner, we recommend starting with our Getting Started Video Series, which walks you through the most important parts of understanding the software, as well as some next steps. While this is a PRO-focused tutorial, individual users are welcome to view and learn from the series.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Necessary Inputs

These entries are necessary to run the report and produce accurate and meaningful results.

  • Birthdates of all adults and children who are part of the profile (mm/dd/yyyy). This includes ex and late spouses as well as minor children and adult disabled children

  • Marital status (single, married, partnered, divorced, widowed)

  • Current Social Security disability benefits based on the recipients' own records if applicable — the date (mm/yyyy) they began and the amount

  • Other current Social Security benefits received or suspended if applicable — the date (mm/yyyy) they began and the amount

  • Past covered earnings (ie earnings taxed by Social Security)*

  • Estimated future covered earnings (ie earnings taxed by Social Security) if applicable

  • Last year with earnings other than Social Security benefits

  • Any future non covered earnings (i.e. earnings not taxed by Social Security)

  • Maximum ages — these are not life expectancies and default to 100 but can be changed


*We highly recommend downloading your earnings history from SSA.gov as an XML file. This helps ensure accurate Social Security benefit calculations. See video and written directions here.

Need-Specific Inputs

These additional entries will or may be necessary in specific cases to run the report and produce accurate and meaningful results.

Ex-Spousal Benefits

Were you married for at least 10 years?

  • Ex's birthdate (mm/dd/yyyy)
  • Date of divorce (mm/dd/yyyy)
  • Any benefits ex is receiving or has suspended
  • Ex's past covered earnings (ie earnings taxed by Social Security) or the divorced spousal benefit available based on the ex's record — this can be obtained from SSA
  • Information about any children

Late-Spousal Benefits

Were you married for at least 9 months?

  • Late spouse's birthdate (mm/dd/yyyy)
  • Late spouse's year of death
  • Last year late spouse had earnings from sources other than Social Security
  • Late spouse's past covered earnings (ie earnings taxed by Social Security) or the widowed spousal benefit available based on the late spouse's record
  • Information about any children

Minor Children
*Including those in high school under age 19

  • Birthdates (mm/dd/yyyy)
  • High school graduation dates (mm/yyyy)

Permanently-Disabled Children
*Must have become permanently disabled before the age of 22.

  • Birthdates (mm/dd/yyyy)
  • Year benefits will end early if the child will leave care or predecease the parents
  • Current Social Security disability benefit drawn on the child's own work record if applicable
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if applicable

Key Terms

Understanding a few essential terms can help you get the most out of Maximize My Social Security from the start. Here’s what you need to know: 

Retirement Benefits

  • Benefits based on the recipient’s own covered work record.

Spousal Benefits

  • Benefits based on the recipient’s spouse’s covered work record. When unreduced, these benefits are equal to 50% of the spouse’s Primary Insurance Amount (PIA).

Divorced Spousal Benefits

  • Benefits based on the recipient’s ex-spouse’s covered work record. When unreduced, these benefits are equal to 50% of the ex-spouse’s Primary Insurance Amount (PIA).

Widowed Spousal Benefits

  • Benefits based on the recipient’s late spouse’s covered work record. When unreduced, these benefits are equal to what the late spouse was receiving — or was entitled to receive — at the time of death.

Minor Children’s Benefits

  • Benefits based on the covered work record of a parent of the minor child.

Childhood Disability Benefits (CDBs)

  • Also known as Disabled Adult Child’s Benefits, these benefits are based on the covered work record of a parent of the disabled adult child.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

  • Benefits available to people with disabilities and older adults who have little or no income or resources. SSI is a needs-based program and not tied to a covered work record.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI or DIB)

  • Benefits available to individuals with a qualifying disability that prevents or significantly limits their ability to work. These benefits are based on the individual’s own work record and earnings history.

Full Retirement Age (FRA)

  • The age at which a person can receive their full retirement benefit amount, without reduction for early filing or increase for delayed filing.

Primary Insurance Amount (PIA)

  • The monthly benefit a person is entitled to receive at their Full Retirement Age (FRA).

Delayed Retirement Credits (DRCs)

  • Increases to retirement benefits earned between FRA and age 70, at a rate of 8% per year, calculated and applied monthly.

Early Filing Reductions

  • Reductions applied to benefits claimed before FRA, which permanently lower monthly payments.

Earnings Test

  • A rule applied to benefit recipients who have not yet reached FRA. It can reduce or withhold benefits if earnings exceed specific annual limits.

Deeming Provision

  • If a person is eligible for both their own retirement benefit and a spousal benefit, filing for one is treated as filing for both. The person receives whichever benefit — or combination — is higher.

Family Maximum

  • The total amount of benefits that can be paid on a single worker’s record to all eligible family members. Any benefits drawn from a second person’s record (for example, the lower-earning spouse’s record) do not count toward this limit.
    • Note: This is often misunderstood as a maximum on the total benefits a family can receive overall, when it only applies to benefits drawn on one individual’s record.

Context Help and Contacting Support

Need help while using Maximize My Social Security? Click the green Help button in the bottom-right corner of any screen to open our support popup. From there, you can:

  • Search our full Knowledge Base for step-by-step guides and FAQs

  • See suggested articles based on where you are in the software

  • Contact our Support Team by filling out a quick form—most responses come well within 12 hours.

We’re here to help you feel confident as you build and explore your benefit options! Email us at mmss@economicsecurityplanning.com for further assistance.