Social Security is a federal insurance program that provides monthly payments to retired workers, disabled individuals, and surviving family members of workers who have died. Most working Americans pay into the system through payroll taxes, and the program serves as a foundation for retirement income for millions of people. Understanding how the program works, when you can start receiving payments, and how your benefit amount is calculated helps you plan for your financial future.
The articles here explain the basics of how Social Security determines your benefit amount, the different ages at which you can start receiving payments and how that choice affects your monthly check, and how to understand your earnings record. You'll also find information about how work affects your benefits, what happens to your benefits if you're divorced, and how to report changes in your circumstances to Social Security.