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,

Fact checked by Giselle Cancio If you're a qualified American, you're entitled to receive your hard-earned Social Security benefits in retirement. However, you may find yourself in a situation where your Social Security benefits are smaller than expected because you've earned too much money while receiving early retirement benefits.

The age you file for Social Security is perhaps the most important decision affecting your benefit amount. You can begin taking benefits as early as 62, but waiting up to age 70 will earn you larger payments each month.

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.

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.

The second round of January’s Social Security payments, worth up to $5,108 for the highest-income earners who retire at age 70, will go out to the second group of retirees on Wednesday, Jan. 15. Here is all you need to know about this month’s Social Security payments, which go out in three rounds.

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.

One of the most critical decisions is when to start receiving Social Security benefits. Social Security is a primary source of retirement income for many Americans, so it makes sense to think about all the possible ways to maximize benefits.