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.
Most American workers are entitled to receive a monthly Social Security retirement benefit by age 62. The average monthly Social Security check in 2015 is $1,328. But how does the government figure out how much each worker should receive? The key to calculating someoneâs Social Security benefit is to first figure out their Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). The PIA is the baseline amount for your Social Security benefits. The amount of your benefit depends on many factors, including how long you worked, your income and how old you are when you retire.