Social Security
News, insights and expert analysis on social security from the team at Kiplinger.
Getting the most out of Social Security is anything but simple. As you near retirement, the decisions you make could have a significant impact on the amount of money you receive, and some of these choices are irrevocable. You’ll need to move carefully to maximize your income stream. Start with our beginner's guide to maximizing your Social Security benefits, then work your way through our other Social Security features, guides and news stories.
Latest
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Are You Ready for 65? The Medicare Initial Enrollment Period Quiz
Quiz Turning 65 soon? Test your basic knowledge of Medicare's Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) rules in our quick quiz.
By Donna LeValley
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Quiz: How Much Do You Really Know About Taxes on Social Security Benefits?
Quiz Social Security benefits often come with confusing IRS tax rules that can trip up financially savvy retirees and near-retirees.
By Kelley R. Taylor
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3 Ways to Stretch the 2026 Social Security COLA For Your Budget
Three steps retirees can take to stretch the Social Security COLA to fit their budgets.
By Beth Braverman
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Quiz: Test Your IRA Contribution IQ
Quiz Test your basic knowledge of traditional and Roth contribution rules in our quick quiz.
By Donna LeValley
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11 Costly Medicare Mistakes You Should Avoid Making
Medicare If you don't make the right choices, you could end up with higher Medicare premiums and high out-of-pocket costs.
By Donna LeValley
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The Minimum Savings You Need To Retire in All 50 States
Worried you haven't saved enough for retirement? Here are the average annual expenses and minimum savings amounts needed to get by in all 50 states.
By Donna LeValley
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Working and Getting Social Security? An Earnings Test Guide
If you haven't reached your full retirement age yet, your Social Security check could take a hit, depending on how much you earn.
By Martha Shedden, CRPC®
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This Is the Retirement Phase Nobody Talks About
What you do in the five years before retirement and the first 10 afterward can establish how comfortable you'll be for the rest of your life.
By Kyle Hammerschmidt, Investment Adviser
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Is Fear of Social Security Running Out of Money Hurting You?
Bipartisan collaboration on a mix of reforms will likely be needed to keep the system solvent and benefits intact.
By Richard Eisenberg
