One Key Move Could Boost Your Social Security Benefits Before Filing in 2027
Oftentimes the single most important move to boost your Social Security benefits before filing in 2027 is to review and correct your Social Security earnings record. Inaccurate or missing wages can permanently reduce your monthly benefit for life.
1. Your benefit is based on your 35 highest‑earning years Social Security calculates your retirement benefit using your 35 highest-paid years. If any year is missing or underreported, the SSA plugs in a $0, which lowers your lifetime average and permanently reduces your monthly check.
2. Errors in SSA wage records are more common than people realize Missing income—especially from gig work, self‑employment, or jobs where wages were misreported—can shrink your benefit. The article stresses that many retirees lose money simply because their records were never corrected.
3. You can still fix errors before filing in 2027 You should:
- Create or log into your my Social Security account
- Review your annual earnings history
- If you find mistakes, submit Form SSA‑7008 to correct your record before you file This ensures your 2027 benefit is calculated accurately.
Why this matters:
Correcting your earnings record can increase your monthly benefit for the rest of your life. For many retirees—especially those relying heavily on Social Security—this can mean thousands of dollars in additional lifetime income.
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