In recent days, there’s been an influx of videos and posts circulating online about a supposed stimulus check of $5,100 coming from Social Security. Understandably, this has raised a lot of questions among beneficiaries. During my recent live Q&A session, several people asked me whether this was true. To set the record straight: no, there isn’t a $5,100 stimulus check coming your way. After hearing so much chatter, I decided to investigate these claims by reviewing some of these videos myself. What I found was unsurprising—they were essentially clickbait. Let me break this down and clarify what’s actually happening.
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The Truth About the $5,100 “Stimulus Check”:
What some of these videos refer to isn’t a stimulus check at all. The figure being mentioned—$5,100—is misleading. In reality, this amount pertains to a very specific group of people: those who have contributed the maximum allowable amount into Social Security for their entire working lives and have deferred collecting benefits until age 70. Even then, the figure doesn’t exactly add up to $5,100.
Let’s start with some context. Social Security contributions are based on your earnings, but there’s an annual cap on the maximum taxable income. For 2025, this cap is set at $176,100. If someone earned that amount—or more—and contributed the maximum to Social Security every year for 35 years (the period Social Security uses to calculate your benefits), they would qualify for the maximum benefit.
For 2025, the maximum monthly benefit at full retirement age (FRA) is $4,088. However, that amount can increase if someone delays collecting Social Security beyond their FRA. Delayed retirement credits allow for an 8% annual increase in benefits for each year you wait past your FRA, up until age 70. By delaying benefits to age 70, the maximum benefit increases to approximately $5,185 per month.
It’s important to emphasize that this higher amount isn’t a stimulus payment or an additional check. It’s simply the result of deferring benefits and taking advantage of delayed retirement credits. Most people won’t qualify for this amount because it requires consistent maximum contributions to Social Security for decades, which is rare. In short, the claims about a $5,100 stimulus check are nothing more than a misrepresentation designed to attract clicks.
Addressing Common Social Security Questions:
While we’re on the topic of Social Security, let’s dive into some common questions that people often have about their benefits. These are questions I frequently encounter during live Q&A sessions, and clearing up the confusion can help everyone better understand how Social Security works.
What Happens to Social Security Benefits When Someone Passes Away?
One question I hear often goes something like this: “I received my late husband’s benefits after he passed away at 59. Social Security suggested I start collecting immediately. What happened to my own benefits, which were significantly lower than his? Did the government just take them?”
This is a valid concern and a question many people have when dealing with survivor benefits. To explain, when someone passes away and their spouse or eligible dependents start receiving survivor benefits, the deceased person’s contributions don’t “disappear.” Instead, they’re redistributed as part of the broader Social Security system. Think of Social Security as a type of insurance program. Just like car insurance premiums from drivers who don’t have accidents help pay for those who do, unused Social Security benefits are distributed to others in need—retirees, children, and people with disabilities.
For surviving spouses, eligibility for benefits depends on the length of the marriage. If you were married for at least nine months before your spouse passed away, you can qualify for survivor benefits. In cases of divorce, you need to have been married for at least 10 years to qualify. Survivor benefits can start as early as age 60 (or age 50 if you’re a disabled widow or widower), but taking benefits early will result in a reduced monthly amount.
Can You Keep Disability Benefits If You Work?
Another frequent question involves working while receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Specifically, people ask how long they can work without losing their benefits.
Social Security allows disability beneficiaries to attempt to return to work without immediately losing their benefits through a program called the Trial Work Period (TWP). This program gives beneficiaries nine months (not necessarily consecutive) to test their ability to work without affecting their SSDI payments. During these months, you can earn any amount—even millions of dollars—and still receive your full disability benefits. The idea is to encourage people to try working without fear of losing their safety net.
If your earnings remain below a certain threshold after the trial work period ends, you can continue receiving SSDI benefits. However, exceeding the earnings limit after the trial period could result in the cessation of benefits.
Why Is the Retirement Age Increasing?
There’s been significant discussion about raising the Social Security retirement age, and many people feel strongly opposed to this idea. Here’s why: raising the retirement age effectively reduces lifetime benefits for future retirees. The argument for increasing the retirement age is that people are living longer and working longer, so the Social Security trust fund needs to adjust to remain solvent.
For context, the full retirement age was already increased in the 1980s, and the changes are fully phased in as of 2025. For anyone born in 1960 or later, the full retirement age is now 67. While there are alternative ways to strengthen Social Security’s finances, such as adjusting payroll taxes or benefits for higher earners, raising the retirement age is seen by some as a way to reduce costs at the expense of beneficiaries.
Can You Work and Collect Retirement Benefits?
A common misconception is that you can’t work and collect Social Security retirement benefits at the same time. This isn’t entirely true. While there are limits on how much you can earn before reaching your full retirement age, these restrictions are lifted once you hit FRA.
For 2025, the annual earnings limit before FRA is $23,400. If you earn more than this amount, Social Security will withhold $1 for every $2 you earn above the limit. However, in the year you reach FRA, a higher limit applies, and only $1 is withheld for every $3 earned above the threshold. Once you reach FRA, there’s no limit on your earnings—you can work and collect benefits without any penalty.
It’s also worth noting that in the first year you claim benefits, Social Security uses a monthly earnings limit instead of the annual limit. For 2025, this monthly limit is $1,950. This provision can be especially helpful if you retire mid-year after earning a significant amount earlier in the year. As long as your monthly earnings stay below the limit after you start collecting benefits, you can receive your Social Security payments without penalties.
Challenges Facing Social Security:
Social Security has been a cornerstone of financial security for retirees, disabled individuals, and surviving family members since its inception in 1935. However, the program faces significant challenges, including funding shortfalls and administrative delays.
One major issue is the underfunding of the Social Security Administration (SSA), which has led to long wait times and delays in processing claims. Many people report waiting hours to speak with someone at the SSA or months to receive a decision on their application. These delays are often a result of insufficient staffing and resources, which some argue is a deliberate strategy to discourage people from accessing their benefits.
As you navigate Social Security, it’s also important to consider your Medicare options. Medicare is a vital program for retirees, but understanding the different plans—Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement Plans, and Part D prescription drug plans—can be overwhelming.
If you need help finding the right plan, organizations like Chapter Medicare can provide free assistance. They review every available plan in your area to ensure you get the best coverage for your needs.
Social Security is a complex but essential program that provides critical support to millions of Americans. Whether you’re navigating survivor benefits, disability rules, or retirement options, it’s important to separate fact from fiction. While misleading claims about $5,100 stimulus checks may grab attention, understanding the real rules and benefits of Social Security will help you make informed decisions about your financial future.
Join me for my next live Q&A session, where I’ll answer more of your questions about Social Security, Medicare, and retirement planning. If you need help with Medicare, don’t hesitate to reach out to trusted resources for guidance.
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