Social Security's work rules are very different for some retirees than others. Specifically: If you have reached your full ...

Social Security retirement benefits aren't automatic. You can apply up to four months before you want them to start. Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising ...

There are several important decisions to make about your Social Security benefits. You decide how many years you work and which jobs you work at. You also choose when you sign up. All these choices ...

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 ...

The 2026 Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is 2.8%. This is the increase all Social Security beneficiaries, ...

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

Social Security payments for the month of January follow a normal schedule. January checks will reflect a 2.8% cost-of-living ...

Get the latest on Social Security benefits, COLA updates, and policy changes — what they mean for retirees, SSI recipients ...

Social Security typically pays benefits on Wednesdays. The first wave of payments will be sent on the second Wednesday of the month, Jan. 14, 2026, with subsequent payments going out on the third (Jan ...

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 and ...