The maximum Social Security retirement benefit depends on the age an individual wishes to retire. For a person retiring at full retirement age (65 years and 10 months) is $2,185.

According to the Social Security Administration (SSA) Department, "this is based on earnings at the maximum taxable amount for every year after age 21."

If both a husband and wife wish to retire, each of the spouse would receive his or her own benefit amount. The SSA Department does not "imposes a marriage penalty" and both spouses are each entitled to their own Social Security benefits based on their individual earnings record.

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