Key Points Social Security benefits vary by age, earnings history, and when you start claiming. Waiting longer to claim can lead to higher monthly payments. Taxes and retirement savings affect how ...

No, there is no limit on married couples’ total Social Security benefits, and no penalty for being married. You do not have to divorce to maximize your benefits.

Age 62 is the earliest someone can claim Social Security, while 67 years is considered the full-retirement age (FRA) for those born in 1960 or later. However, the monthly check is about 30% smaller if ...

For several years, many people online have claimed that U.S. Social Security payments were being renamed "Federal Benefit Payments." In mid- and late 2025, the rumor spread in various lengthy Facebook ...

Seniors in 2025 are increasingly seeking ways to safeguard their Social Security benefits from taxation, as rising living costs and inflation ...

Washington, DC: Millions of Social Security beneficiaries could potentially increase their annual payments by up to $1,500 through strategic planning and lesser-known qualification methods, according ...

Social Security checks will continue despite the shutdown• But the 2026 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) announcement may be delayed• Retirees ar ...

Most people would get a larger lifetime benefit by delaying Social Security, possibly until age 70. This is when you qualify for your largest benefit, worth 124% of the amount you'd qualify for at ...

Millions of seniors may have to wait longer for 2026 COLA announcement as the government shutdown could delay Bureau of Labor Statistics inflation report.

In purely financial terms, the Social Security check you are getting now or have a right to receive when you are older is your most valuable financial asset.

It’s OK to have a learning curve. Here are some common errors and how to steer clear of them. Some or all of the mortgage lenders featured on our site are advertising partners of NerdWallet, but this ...