You only pay SS on the part under $106K but not the part above that. You qualify SS by working full-time for at least 10 years (40 credit with 4 credits per year if full-time). They calculate your SS distribution (you are paid) by looking at your earnings (actually part withheld for SS if you make more than $106K every year) over 30 years. If you work between 10-30 years then they also have formula to do the calculation. Suppose one paid SS tax for 30 years at maximum (make more then $106K every year for 30 years) and retire this year and meets the age limit, he/she will get paid about $2400/month now. It's inflaton adjusted.