Everything You Need To Know About Collecting Social Security

[{"selector":"#anim-4402ea8c-fa04-4313-9619-cbc5195b8cdf","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":250,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ceaabe39-479c-4a22-a46a-7fb12c69cdb2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-65d32d11-0c35-4a84-aa82-8f5a54fd5667","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-07215d1a-1875-44d3-b9a5-c1e011545e23","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":5000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

The pandemic worsened some grim statistics from a recent GoBankingRates survey. Many people lost their jobs and are months behind on bills.

[{"selector":"#anim-e6e2cc3e-37b4-49ef-8754-ff5746e5f7ff","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f5082e27-3316-4533-a353-884f08221183","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-53496eb5-537c-49c1-b1c8-20e6773671f2","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Learn more

With such a large percentage of Americans struggling to save for retirement, it’s clear that many of these individuals will need to work far past the full retirement age. And quite possibly in some capacity for the rest of their lives.

[{"selector":"#anim-7d11d3ec-b785-4d73-b4b0-57158fce828a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7d0c5ef7-1276-4fce-a91f-dc6f4bd92880","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-107.01299%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7143049c-cf90-4661-8743-2674b9148b46","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2d70ef28-da98-4d17-a827-a063a370a9ae","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-11a02db1-4811-49e1-b5fe-13397954b42f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(107.30224%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

Signed into law in 1935 as part of the New Deal, the original purpose of Social Security was as a retirement plan for workers aged 65 or older. The program allowed individuals to have continuing income after retirement, and for many, to have a retirement.

[{"selector":"#anim-fa960f81-447c-4353-afde-e4f67b5d711f","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ce14d5ca-3be9-4b64-82ed-e8e26e53e339","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8382f1b0-5855-435d-8c0a-9f9ddb15ddba","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

Social Security is one of the more confusing areas of personal finance for people, and it can be challenging to determine how to handle the decision of claiming your benefits.

[{"selector":"#anim-396c7d3d-0657-46da-9e33-8a403750fd4c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-912f9d9b-9103-4be7-bab9-120082cef449","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(103.72671%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-93ab8ca2-0883-4c70-a7d7-2360dd216dd3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c80c95a7-c232-4e1e-bf38-5a6802d7e12a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-105.30973%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fc2cfe15-27c1-4c47-a3c5-f8178fa24d7a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-775824f1-b839-41e0-902c-df8e73395764","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-58a834b8-7635-4fb1-9dd4-b2a3dd38a1de","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Learn more

For most, Social Security benefits will come in the form of income for retirement. For those not on disability, you can begin drawing Social Security benefits at age 62 at the earliest (age 60 if a widow or widower).

[{"selector":"#anim-69c405b8-5b6d-436c-b38d-4a79b46e444c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fae8cd71-d199-401d-a506-69d9a550ddc8","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.28663%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7a7bd114-c441-45b6-b5ec-ff76e7ea2d5a","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6fb9d6e7-be2e-4682-8885-51bd8e3fbd70","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Learn more

However, if you decide to start receiving benefits early, they will be reduced by a small percentage for each month before your full retirement age you take them.

[{"selector":"#anim-30c76687-dc1c-47d2-aedd-c91a828513d2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-17ef761f-4ad5-4ca9-998b-c03d6d24d0df","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(106.62526%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c1cff4a4-c0fd-41f7-bc06-66b7d1149896","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-16fc6e77-748b-475a-a4ef-89ff004065f6","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-107.01299%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9b3cb3e9-3145-4dc1-a128-faedcda6a2b8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

Social Security calculates benefits using two factors: 1) The amount you earned during your working career, and; 2) The age you begin taking benefits.

[{"selector":"#anim-dfb7492f-1b40-4c51-a246-a99469332f2b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cb5af13b-51de-41d4-ba05-2c06caac87f3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.92356%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":400,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-160589a8-d1ae-419b-a075-567deecb5776","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b7142bde-020f-49e2-b46a-28996f409faf","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Learn more

Swipe Up

[{"selector":"#anim-34708063-0125-4b60-8a7a-863f4a59c00e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c322f6ef-8d95-45b3-9751-0ecaed2e901c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -289.76616%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0fa9634e-1c2e-4d88-9700-d9e85b5113fe","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-090710fb-b886-4896-84c5-53d0a60e79af","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 181.56378%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more