> But you only get to collect social security to the extent you paid into the system. To clarify: Social Security benefits are calculated based on the 35 highe

> But you only get to collect social security to the extent you paid into the system. To clarify: Social Security benefits are calculated based on the 35 highest-earning years you report to the IRS, up to a maximum cap. You will _not_ "run out" of benefits at any point, but if you report under 35 years of earned income to the IRS, those zeros will play into the overall calculation of your benefit rate.