If you're nearing retirement, you may be asking yourself the same question millions of Americans have asked themselves: when should I begin claiming my Social Security benefits? It's true that retirement planning is highly personal and one-size-fits-all prescriptions are rarely useful,

In 2024, the life expectancy for someone born in 1959 was 74 for men and 80.1 for women, according to a Social Security report. The report predicts continuing increases in life expectancy, which translates into even more years that beneficiaries will receive Social Security checks.

The best way to see how much your Social Security benefit would be at age 69 is to log in to your account at www.ssa.gov (or create one if you haven't yet) and view your latest Social Security statement. Here you'll find an estimate for various ages based on your actual work record.

As we step into 2025, you may be setting financial goals. While you're at it, you should also keep tabs on the Social Security changes this year.

Social Security recipients are getting a cost-of-living adjustment, starting this month, but that’s not the only change to the nation’s retirement system.

Technically, you don't have to take Social Security when you retire. It's possible to leave your job at 62 and then wait until 70 to file for benefits. However, you'll need to rely on other sources of income during those years in between, which can take a hefty toll on your savings.

Over 2 million Social Security beneficiaries had their retirement incomes reduced because of two programs. Here's how the Social Security Fairness Act addresses that.

Navigating the complexities of Social Security taxation can be daunting, especially when your income surpasses certain thresholds. Understanding how your benefits are taxed is crucial for effective financial planning.

One thing soon-to-be retirees need to start looking at carefully is where they fall in terms of Social Security benefits. Whether you start taking withdrawals at 62, 67, or 70, it’s important to understand what impact Social Security withdrawals will have on your income level while retired.

Are you counting on Social Security as an important source of income in retirement? You're not alone. Nine out of 10 Americans age 65 and older are currently receiving some form of Social Security. And Gallup polling finds 58% of retired Americans consider Social Security to be a "major source" of their retirement income.