When it comes time to retire, you will receive your Social Security benefits in addition to any other retirement plan you have in place. While you did pay into your Social Security fund, you really don't have any say in how much you receive from them monthly the way you may with your other plans. In fact, determining how much you will receive can be tricky; the formula is almost a government secret. The amount will depend on how much money you made and paid into the fund, when you started paying into the fund, how old you were when you started paying, and how old you are when you retire. Of course, once you start receiving your benefits you will know what to expect. However, if you want to increase the amount you get monthly, here are a few things you can do.

Reach Full Retirement Age

It can be tempting to retire early. While you can start receiving benefits at 62 years old, you will not receive the whole amount you are due if you do this. Your full retirement age is determined by when you were born. You can contact the Social Security Administration to find the exact age or talk with a lawyer experienced with Social Security SSI. You would be surprised at how much more you will get each month if you wait a few years. While it might not be what you are hoping for, it will certainly make your "golden" years easier financially.

Consider Spousal Benefits

If you have been, or were, married to the same person for at least 10 years, you can collect benefits based on up to 50 percent of your spouse's income. Of course, if your personal income was more than the 50 percent, you will want to take your own benefits instead. If you are a surviving spouse, you may choose to take your spousal benefits and then at some point in the future take your own. This is a good idea if you want to retire earlier than your full retirement age. You can receive spousal payments and allow your own to grow so that you can receive 100 percent of your own benefits at full retirement age.

If you are unsure of how to go about filing a claim to receive your benefits, contact a Social Security lawyer. They can make sure that all the paperwork is done correctly and on time so you can begin relaxing and enjoying your "golden" years.