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.
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No Social Security Tax Changes in Trump’s 'Big Bill'? What Retirees Need to Know
Tax Policy Eliminating taxes on Social Security benefits is missing from President Trump’s tax overhaul. Here’s why and what an alternative offering could mean for retirement taxes.
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Want the Maximum Social Security Check in 2026? Here's What You Need to Do Now
The maximum Social Security check is $5,108 in 2025. If you want to receive the maximum Social Security check in 2026, or at the very least maximize the amount you receive in the future, here's what you need to do now.
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The Five Social Security Blind Spots Retirees Often Miss
Understand how benefits work before applying, so you don’t lose money for which you qualify.
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Social Security's First Beneficiary Lived to Be 100: Will You?
Ida May Fuller, Social Security's first beneficiary, retired in 1939 and died in 1975. Today, we should all be planning for a retirement that's as long as Ida's.
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What Is the July Social Security Payment Schedule?
The date your July Social Security benefit arrives depends on the day of the month you were born.
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13 Answers to Pressing Social Security Questions
From smart claiming strategies for couples to tips on maximizing your monthly check, we have advice that can help you.
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The '8-Year Rule of Social Security' — A Retirement Rule
The '8-Year Rule of Social Security' holds that it's best to be like Ike — Eisenhower, that is. The five-star general knew a thing or two about good timing.
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Are You Owed Money Thanks to the SSFA? You Might Need to Do Something to Get It
The Social Security Fairness Act removed restrictions on benefits for people with government pensions. If you're one of them, don't leave money on the table. Here's how you can be proactive in claiming what you're due.
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A Retirement Planner's Advice for Taking the Guesswork Out of Income Planning
Once you've saved for retirement, you'll need your nest egg to support you for as many as 30 years. For that, you need a clear income strategy, not guesswork.
