For those approaching retirement, there are several steps to take before applying for Social Security benefits. Pre-retirees should be familiar with the benefit options available to them ...

Applying early will shrink your checks by up to 30%, depending on how soon you do it. That can cost you tens of thousands of ...

Dear Rusty: I’m ready to apply for my Social Security benefits, and I’m aware of how my benefits are calculated. What I would like to know about is how the application process actually works and how ...

Federal employees older than 70 may be leaving thousands on the table. Find out if you or your spouse are missing Social ...

It's a rocky time for the Social Security Administration. Here's what you should know about what's going on and how to make smart choices. Blake has over a decade of experience writing for the web, ...

The earliest you can file for spousal benefits is at age 62. You could qualify for benefits equal to 50% of your spouse's amount. If you're divorced, you may still qualify for benefits based on an ...

The earlier you claim Social Security, the smaller your monthly benefits will be. Delaying the point at which you file for benefits can grow your checks by anywhere from 5% to 8% per year. In deciding ...

Once you have completed the process of applying for your Social Security benefits, it is natural to wonder when those eagerly awaited payments will begin to arrive. The time that elapses from the ...

Social Security provides financial benefits to senior citizens, low-income individuals and people with disabilities. Beneficiaries receive a monthly payment on a specified schedule, and that schedule ...

Clients frequently ask me about the best time to start taking Social Security benefits, with the hope that there's a golden rule or simple answer. As with so many areas of financial planning, we need ...