German armies used the Skull & Cross bones many times. In the image above we see the Totenkopf, a German word for the deathmanÂ´s head. This is an old symbol of momenti mori. It consists usually of the skull and the mandible of the human skeleton.
You generally need to work for 10 years to qualify for benefits (unless youâre receiving benefits through a spouse -- see How Spouses Can Maximize Social Security Benefits for more information). The maximum earnings that count toward your benefit are $118,500 in 2015.
Now, back to the main question: How much does the average American actually get from the Social Security system? There isnât a uniform answer, as there are many factors at play. But overall, numbers from the Social Security Administration show the average for all Social Security receipts is $1,249.55 per month, and for retired workers (over the age of 65), itâs $1,363.66 (as of February 2017).