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.
The average monthly Social Security benefit check is $1,294. That means an annual income of $15,528. So, if your benefits are near average and Social Security is your only source of income in retirement, you wonât hit the threshold for paying taxes on any of your benefits.