No matter what retirement looks like for you, Social Security is likely to play an important role in your financial plans. For retirees who depend heavily on monthly benefits, the upcoming cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, is one of the most anticipated updates each year. Social Security COLAs are calculated using inflation data from the third quarter. Because of that, … Read more
Social Security is one of the most important income sources for many retired Americans, which makes the decision about when to claim benefits especially important. Workers can begin claiming retirement benefits at age 62, but doing so usually means accepting a permanently reduced monthly payment. Waiting longer can increase the benefit, especially for those who … Read more
Many financial experts advise Americans to delay claiming Social Security benefits until full retirement age or even age 70. The reason is simple: the longer you wait, the higher your monthly benefit can be. For people born in 1960 or later, full retirement age is 67. Claiming at 62, the earliest age allowed, can permanently … Read more
Millions of Americans planning for retirement need to pay close attention to one important Social Security rule: full retirement age. While benefits can still begin as early as age 62, claiming early can permanently reduce monthly payments. The change matters because Social Security is a major source of income for many retirees. Understanding the difference … Read more
Social Security spousal benefits can be confusing for many couples planning retirement. While most people understand that workers can receive benefits based on their own earnings record, fewer people know that spouses may also qualify for monthly payments based on their partner’s work history. This lack of understanding can lead to costly retirement planning mistakes. … Read more
Deciding when to claim Social Security is one of the biggest retirement choices many Americans make. For years, age 65 was seen as the traditional retirement age. But after changes passed by Congress in 1983, the full retirement age gradually increased. Today, full retirement age is 67 for people born in 1960 or later. That … Read more
Retirement may sound simple, but Social Security rules can make claiming benefits more complicated than many workers expect. One important rule can shrink a monthly benefit check if a person claims early and continues earning income from work. The rule is known as the retirement earnings test. It applies to people who claim Social Security … Read more
Many divorced women over 62 may be missing a Social Security benefit that could increase their monthly income. If a marriage lasted at least 10 years, a divorced spouse may be able to claim benefits based on an ex-spouse’s earnings record. This rule matters for women who earned less during marriage, spent years raising children, … Read more
Many Americans claim Social Security as soon as they become eligible at age 62. For some retirees, taking benefits early makes sense because it provides income sooner, even though monthly payments are permanently reduced compared with waiting until full retirement age. However, there is one rule that often surprises new retirees: the Social Security earnings … Read more
Retirement may sound simple, but claiming Social Security benefits can be one of the most important financial decisions many Americans make. A wrong move could reduce monthly payments for years, especially for people who claim benefits early and continue working. The Social Security income rule is one of the key details retirees need to understand before filing. … Read more