GovCentral

Here is the table for each year since 1937 that shows what the maximum earnings was (2007 was $97,500) http://www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/COLA/cbb.html. Now that you know the maximum earnings, you can use the quick calculater to see an estimate of the payment (if you made the maximum all the time, then you would max out at $1,657 per month) http://www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/quickcalc/index.html. Of course, if you are married and your wifes social security payment is not at least half of yours, then your payment will be reduced the exact amount that brings her payment to half of yours. Example: You get $1,000, your wife gets $300. Now, your payment would drop to $800 and your wifes would be brought up to $500. But, if her payment is at least $500, then nothing changes.