Applying for Social Security is easier when you're prepared. Use our comprehensive checklist to gather all the necessary ...

Choose your claiming age carefully and understand how this affects the size of your benefit. It's best to apply several months in advance of when you hope to claim. Gather your documents ahead of time ...

Many people are mentally ready to start receiving Social Security checks long before they become eligible for them at 62. But wanting checks and actually applying for them are two separate things. If ...

Dear Rusty: I just turned 65 years old in February 2025. I need to sign up for Social Security but don’t even know where to start. Signed: Seeking Assistance Dear Seeking: It is fairly easy to sign up ...

Dear Savvy Senior: What do I need to do to get disability benefits from Social Security? I’m 60 years old and have a medical condition that doesn’t allow me to work anymore. But I’ve read that getting ...

Social Security's work rules are very different for some retirees than others. Specifically: If you have not yet reached FRA, ...

Applying for Social Security isn't just an exciting milestone; it's an important strategic decision that will determine how much money you get from the program. You want everything to go smoothly so ...

How much Social Security income spouses receive depends on their claim age and the primary insurance amount (PIA) of their ...

When you sign up determines the size of the check you qualify for, along with your income history from your working years. You can apply as early as age 62, but that's considered claiming early, and ...

Dear Rusty: I just turned 65 years old in February 2025. I need to sign up for Social Security but don't even know where to start. Signed: Seeking Assistance You may already be aware that age 65 is ...