Social Security Retirement Benefits

As a gift to my readers, I am sharing my top strategies on how to maximize your Social Security benefits based on your age and marital status in the free articles below. Email my team in the contact section if you have a question or want to talk to a certified Social Security expert.

Social Security Benefits to Increase in 2026

Social Security Benefits to Increase 2.8% in 2026

(October 24, 2025) Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for more than 75 million Americans will increase by 2.8% in 2026.

Social Security and Income Taxes Update

Millions of Social Security beneficiaries received an email from the Social Security Administration in early July claiming the newly enacted “One Big Beautiful” tax and spending bill would eliminate taxes.

Social Security Trust Fund Exhaustion One Year Closer

The Social Security Board of Trustees released its annual report on the financial status of the Social Security Trust Funds on June 18, 2025.

Social Security Fears Could Reverse Trend Towards Later Claiming Ages

Americans seem to be getting the message that claiming Social Security benefits at a later age result in a bigger monthly benefit check and could improve retirement security for many.

Social Security Expands Telephone Claiming for All Benefits

If you seemed confused by the rash of recent announcements from the Social Security Administration (SSA), you’re not alone.

Social Security Changes Spark Customer Service Crisis

The start of 2025 ushered in the new Trump administration, unleashing his chainsaw-in-chief budget cutter Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on the Social Security Administration (SSA). President Donald Trump has repeatedly promised not to cut Social Security benefits. But DOGE’s proposed budget cuts, staff reductions and new rules regarding the benefit application process and identity proofing

Social Security Benefits Expanded for Millions of Public-Sector Workers

On January 5, 2025, President Joseph Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act into law. The legislation was approved by overwhelming majorities in the House and Senate.

Congress Approves Social Security Benefit Expansion for Millions

In the final days of the 118th Congress, on December 21, 2024, the Senate voted 76-20 to repeal two controversial federal rules that reduced or eliminated Social Security benefits.

Higher Medicare Premiums, Surcharges Announced for 2025

Medicare enrollees will pay about $10 more monthly for Part B insurance premiums in 2025. Some will pay even more due to monthly surcharges imposed on high-income individuals.

Social Security Benefits to Increase 2.5% in 2025

Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 72 million Americans will increase by 2.5% in 2025, the lowest annual cost-of-living (COLA) adjustment in four years.

Social Security Basics

Deciding when and how to claim Social Security benefits is one of the most important decisions that retirees will ever make. For most retirees, Social Security is a critical piece of the retirement income puzzle.

How Work Affects Benefits

Anyone who collects Social Security benefits before full retirement age—including retired workers, their spouses, and survivors—are subject to earnings restrictions if they continue work while receiving benefits.

Strategies for Married Couples

It’s not just your age and earnings history that can affect your Social Security benefits. Your marital status can also influence your lifetime benefits.

Rules for Divorced Spouses

Divorced spouses who were married at least 10 years and who are currently unmarried may be able to collect benefits on an ex’s earnings record.

Survivors

Widows, widowers and surviving ex-spouses have more flexibility than other Social Security beneficiaries because retirement benefits and survivor benefits represent two different pots of money.

Do-Over Options

Anyone has the right to change their mind about claiming Social Security within 12 months of first claiming benefits by withdrawing their application and filing form SSA-521.

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