Social Security is a big deal, delivering retirement benefits to more than 50 million retirees annually along with disability and survivor benefits to millions more. The retiree benefits alone total nearly $100 billion annually.

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.

If you are claiming Social Security this year, there’s one number that you absolutely need to know before you move forward. If you don’t know it, or what it means for your claim, you could make a choice that adversely impacts the income you get for the rest of your life.

"Good things come to those who wait." You've undoubtedly heard that adage many times. It's often true. And the old saying definitely applies to anyone contemplating early retirement. Waiting to claim Social Security until your full retirement age (or,

Social Security plays a crucial role in the financial well-being of millions of Americans, providing essential benefits to retirees, disabled individuals, and survivors. As we approach 2025, it's important to understand how Social Security impacts our retirement planning and what steps we can take to maximize its benefits.

You'll have the best chance of staying comfortable in retirement if you have other sources of income to supplement your Social Security benefits.