How Much Is ‘Shark Tank’ Star Robert Herjavec’s Social Security Check?
Written by
Laura Beck
Edited by
Molly Sullivan
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Robert Herjavec built a fortune estimated between $300 million and $600 million by founding cybersecurity companies and investing on “Shark Tank.” But despite his massive wealth, the reality is that Herjavec’s potential Social Security benefit (if he qualifies at all!) would be capped at the same maximum as any high-earning American.
Herjavec is a Canadian citizen, but unlike many assumptions online, eligibility for U.S. Social Security has nothing to do with citizenship. Benefits are based on work history and payroll taxes paid into the system. Non-U.S. citizens can receive Social Security if they earn enough credits through covered U.S. employment.
Whether Herjavec ultimately qualifies depends on how much Social Security-taxed wage income he earned during his years working in the United States; not on his net worth, investments or business sale proceeds.
When Herjavec Could Claim Benefits
Born Sept. 14, 1962, Herjavec turns 63 in 2025. If eligible, he could begin claiming Social Security as early as age 62 with permanently reduced benefits, wait until his full retirement age of 67 or delay until age 70 to receive the maximum monthly payment.
Delaying benefits from 62 to 70 increases the monthly check by roughly 8% every year you delay, making timing one of the most important decisions in retirement planning.
The Maximum Social Security Benefit Explained
For workers retiring in 2025, the approximate maximum Social Security benefits are:
- $5,108 per month at age 70
(about $61,300 per year, inflation-adjusted for life) - $4,018 per month at full retirement age (67)
- $2,831 per month at age 62
These figures represent the absolute ceiling set by law. No matter how wealthy someone is, Social Security does not pay more than these limits.
Future maximums are expected to rise gradually due to inflation adjustments, though official numbers are announced annually by the Social Security Administration.
What It Takes To Receive the Maximum
Very few Americans ever qualify for the top benefit. To do so, a worker must meet three demanding requirements:
1. At Least 35 Years of Covered Earnings
Social Security calculates benefits using the 35 highest-earning years of wage income subject to payroll taxes. Fewer than 35 years lowers the average.
2. Earnings at the Taxable Maximum for 35 Years
In 2025, Social Security taxes apply only to the first $176,100 of wage income. Earnings above that level do not increase future benefits.
Only about 6% of U.S. workers exceed this cap in any given year, and only a tiny fraction do so for 35 separate years.
Crucially, investment income, dividends, capital gains and most business sale proceeds do not count toward Social Security earnings. Even many wealthy entrepreneurs never consistently pay themselves salaries at the taxable maximum.
3. Delaying Benefits Until Age 70
Claiming early permanently reduces benefits. The maximum payout requires waiting until age 70.
Would Herjavec Actually Max Out?
If Herjavec had earned Social Security-taxed wages at or above the annual cap for 35 years and delayed claiming until age 70, he could qualify for the maximum benefit.
However, net worth does not determine Social Security benefits. Much of Herjavec’s wealth comes from company sales, equity appreciation and investments; income streams that typically do not count toward Social Security calculations.
As a result, it’s impossible to say publicly whether he would qualify for the maximum without access to his wage history.
Why Billionaires and Doctors Get the Same Check
Social Security only credits earnings up to the annual taxable maximum. Someone earning $500,000 per year receives the same Social Security credit as someone earning $176,100.
This creates an unusual outcome: Billionaires receive the same maximum benefit as high-earning professionals like doctors, lawyers and executives who consistently earn just above the cap.
The taxable maximum has steadily increased over time (from $51,300 in 1990 to $76,200 in 2000 and $118,500 in 2015) meaning long-term, consistently high wages are required to reach the top benefit.
How This Compares To the Average Retiree
The vast majority of Americans receive far less than the maximum:
- Average retirement benefit (2025): ~$1,976 per month
- Average married couple benefit: ~$3,089 per month
For many retirees, Social Security is essential. About 39% of men and 44% of women ages 65 and older rely on it for at least half their income, and roughly 1 in 7 retirees depend on it for nearly all of their income.
Social Security vs. Herjavec’s Actual Wealth
Even at the maximum, Social Security would provide about $61,000 per year; a rounding error for someone with hundreds of millions in assets.
Herjavec’s investments, speaking fees, book royalties and business interests likely generate millions annually, far eclipsing any government benefit.
What About Canada’s Pension System?
As a Canadian citizen, Herjavec may also be eligible for benefits from Canada’s retirement programs.
- Canada Pension Plan (CPP): Maximum of roughly $1,300 CAD per month at age 65, depending on contribution history
- Old Age Security (OAS): About $713 CAD per month
Combined, the maximum from both programs totals around $2,000 CAD monthly, significantly lower than the U.S. Social Security maximum; though Canada offers additional income supports for low-income seniors.
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