Many people have a single goal when claiming Social Security: to receive the largest possible monthly benefit. After decades of paying into Social Security, snagging larger checks could make for a more comfortable retirement. But focusing on your monthly benefits only is a mistake you might sorely regret in the course of claiming Social Security. Your lifetime paycheck matters, tooYou have different choices when it comes to claiming Social Security. You can also delay your Social Security claim past full retirement age to boost your checks.