The Social Security system contains several rules that can significantly increase retirement income. One can reverse an early Social Security filing and claim a larger benefit later, allowing for an additional year of income that exceeds a previous low-earning year. Another can allow for retirement benefits after 12 months of filing, erasing your original claim and allowing for a larger check. However, the Social Security Administration only allows this reversal once in your lifetime. For retirees who cannot afford lump-sum repayment, voluntary suspension allows your benefit to grow by 8% for each additional year you wait, up to age 70. Roth account withdrawals can eliminate federal taxes on your Social Security benefits. The IRS calculates your tax exposure using a figure called combined income, adding your adjusted gross income, nontaxable interest, and half of annual Social Security benefit together.