There are three boxes you need to check before you apply. And you'll have to put in some real work to pull this off.

See the maximum Social Security benefit at each age from 62 to 70 in 2026, how those numbers are calculated, and why many ...

Social Security benefits change according to your past and present income, as well as the age at which you began claiming benefits. See the average benefit for 2026.

Learn the average Social Security benefit for 75-year-olds, why payments are higher for late claimers, and how to estimate your own retirement income.

Social Security benefits can provide you with a stream of retirement income that is reliable. Deciding when to take benefits is an important question, especially if you’re married and hope to qualify ...

Richard Rosen is a financial planner and an expert in writing about financial planning topics. He has 20+ years of experience as a CFP®. Marguerita is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Chartered ...