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.
Social Security cost-of-living increase for 2017: A measly $5. The 0.3% hike is the smallest in recent history. U.S. retirees hoping to live comfortably off their Social Security benefits might have to wait a while longer â the average increase in checks for 2017 is a whopping $5. The Social Security Administration said Tuesday that retirees will see their benefits increase by 0.3% in the coming year. For the average American retiree, that equals $5. Known as a cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, the increase is tied to inflation.