Social Security
Electing Social Security in 3 Months: A Checklist
Ready to claim Social Security? Follow this step-by-step 3-month checklist to avoid costly mistakes, gather your documents, and start benefits on time.
Social Security
A core part of your retirement income. Learn everything you need to know about Social Security retirement benefits.
Articles
41 articles
Social Security
Your 2026 Social Security Payment Schedule
Find out exactly when your 2026 Social Security or SSI payments will arrive based on your birth date. View the full payment calendar and key exceptions.
Social Security
Understanding the 2025 Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)
Discover the 2025 Social Security COLA adjustment, how it impacts beneficiaries, and strategies to maximize your benefits. Learn the updated figures and essential details to optimize your retirement income.
Social Security
What's the Maximum Social Security Retirement Benefit?
While Social Security is based on your income, there is a limit to how much you can get from the program.
Social Security
How To Retire at 60: Your Comprehensive Guide
Dreaming of retiring at 60? Delve into this guide to discover if it's feasible for you and the steps to make that dream a reality.
Social Security
When To Take Social Security Benefits: A Complete Guide
Learn when to take Social Security: unravel the complexities of early vs. delayed claiming and optimize your retirement plan for a financially-secure future.
Social Security
What is the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA)?
The Federal Insurance Contributions Act, known as FICA, protects taxpayers through Social Security and Medicare. Your FICA tax helps fund that program.
Social Security
Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) 2024: What Does It Mean for Your Retirement?
Explore the impact of the COLA on Social Security benefits, and learn how Social Security arrived at the 3.2% 2024 COLA increase.
Social Security
What Is My Full Retirement Age (FRA) for Social Security?
Your full retirement age (FRA) depends on the year you were born; learn what it is and why it might make sense to delay your retirement age to 70.
Social Security
What’s the Social Security COLA Increase for 2026?
For 2025, the 2.5% COLA reflects moderating inflation, offering beneficiaries a modest but necessary boost to maintain purchasing power. Here’s how that increase was calculated.
Social Security
How to Calculate Your Personal Inflation Rate
Learn how to calculate your personal inflation rate (PIR) and see how it compares to the national average to come up with a smart savings strategy.
Social Security
Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) at 8.7% for 2023: What Does it Mean for Your Retirement?
The Social Security Administration recently set COLA at 8.7% for 2023. Learn what factors led to the increase and what it means for your retirement.
Social Security
SSI vs. SSDI: Understanding the Key Differences in Social Security Disability Programs
Learn the key differences between SSI and SSDI, the Social Security Disability programs, if you qualify, and how to apply to receive benefits.
Social Security
Social Security Benefits Increase by 5.9% in 2022
Social Security recipients will see a 5.9 percent increase in 2022, but with inflation, this increase might not stretch far, especially if inflation continues.
Social Security
How the Social Security WEP or GPO Could Ruin your Retirement
Learn about the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset for Social Security benefits and how could they ruin your retirement.
Social Security
Collecting Social Security Benefits as a Spouse
Social Security offers spousal retirement benefits to qualified retirees that can help cover some of your retirement expenses.
Social Security
What is a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)?
A cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) is an adjustment in your Social Security benefits made to keep up with inflation
Social Security
Social Security Changes 2022
Social Security changes for 2022 are here. We've broken down how they’ll potentially impact your income, beneficiaries, and taxes in retirement.
Social Security
How Much Social Security Will I Get? A Step-by-Step Guide
Whether you plan to collect Social Security at age 62 or 70, it's important to know how much of a payout you can expect. Here’s how to calculate your benefits.
Social Security
How Do Social Security and Medicare Work Together?
Social Security and Medicare are programs that help retirees and those with disabilities, but they serve separate purposes. They do work together, though.
Social Security
What Is the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) Program?
Learn about the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) Program and how it may affect your retirement plans.
Social Security
How to Read & Use Your Social Security Benefits Statement
Your Social Security statement contains valuable information about your benefits, including what your payments will be at retirement or if you become disabled.
Social Security
Protecting Yourself from Social Security Application Scams
Social Security scams can come by phone, email, or mail, and can target personal information or money. Here’s how to spot these scams to avoid them.
Social Security
How to Apply for Social Security Benefits as a U.S. Citizen Abroad
If you plan a move across international borders for retirement, make sure you’re fully aware of how the move may affect your Social Security payments.
Social Security
What is Social Security Tax?
Is Social Security a tax? How to understand the Social Security tax, and its effect on your retirement benefits.
Social Security
How and When to Apply for Social Security Retirement Benefits
Start taking your Social Security retirement benefits. Learn how to apply for Social Security benefits, what you’ll need to prepare, and when you should apply.
Social Security
What Are Social Security Benefits?
Social Security benefits are often seen as a retirement income. But, benefits extend far farther to protect individuals and their families.
Social Security
Can I Collect Social Security While I'm Still Working?
Social Security imposes tax liability on how much income you earn while collecting your benefit. Other sources of income may also factor into those tax liabilities.
Social Security
Navigating Spousal Benefits Under New Social Security Rules
You’re eligible to claim your spouse’s Social Security benefits with your own. But the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 made changes to what you can receive.
Social Security
Ways You Can Get Social Security Benefits
The money you pay into Social Security will be yours someday, but you’ll need to meet a list of eligibility requirements to start receiving it.
Social Security
Average Retirement Age in the United States (2020)
The average retirement age in the United States varies from state to state, but the full retirement age does not. Will you retire ahead or behind of the curve?
Social Security
How Are Social Security Benefits Affected by Your Income?
Income beyond Social Security can impact how your benefits are calculated. Learn more about what is considered income and what could lead to a reduction.
Social Security
How to Read Your Social Security Statement
Social Security is a primary source of income for most retirees. Understanding your Social Security statement will help with enrollment and estimating benefits.
Social Security
Reasons your Social Security Check Was Short this Month
Here are some of the reasons the Social Security Administration may have reduced your Social Security check this month.
Social Security
The 10 Largest Social Security Raises in 2022 by State
The Social Security benefits increase for 2022 will be largest in these 10 states. Is your state one of them? Find out.
Social Security
Maximizing Social Security Benefits: Why Claiming at 62 Isn't always Best
Social Security should provide a large amount of your retirement income. Learn more about why claiming benefits at age 62 might leave money on the table.
Social Security
Is Social Security Going to Run Out? The Future of Social Security
It’s estimated that the Social Security reserve fund will run out by 2035. However, this doesn’t mean you should elect to take your benefits early. Learn more.
Social Security
What's the Difference between SSI and SSDI?
Learn the differences between SSI and SSDI. SSI is based on need, SSDI is based on your work history and amount of earned income credits.
Social Security
Social Security When A Spouse Dies: Survivor Benefits Guide
Losing a spouse is especially stressful time. This guide outlines eligibility for receiving Social Security Survivor Benefits and how to update your retirement plan.
Social Security
Is My Social Security Income Taxable?
How are Social Security benefits taxed? Learn how to calculate how much you owe on your benefits based on your income and tax-filing status.
Social Security
What is Social Security?
Social Security is inflation-proof, guaranteed income, and the foundation of your retirement income. Learn the basics and how to take action on your benefits.