socialsecuritybenefits

In many ways, Social Security is just like any other asset you hold in your retirement nest egg. Yes, it's a key asset -- one that promises a lifetime, inflation-adjusted payout to everyone who vests into the system, based on their age, salary, and years of contributions. But, as with any holding,...

In all the hype and emotion surrounding the debate, it's easy to miss the real point about Social Security -- whether it's worth it for most Americans. As with most government programs, Social Security has winners and losers. It provides at least basic subsistence-level benefits for most retired...

Seniors are more likely to decide to delay their retirement when they consider the benefits of waiting before they think about the advantages of retiring early, a new study finds. Here's why you should consider the future first.

Could you live on less than $30 a day? If you don't have a pension or adequate personal savings, that's what the typical retiree will get in 2036, even setting aside the near-term risks facing Social Security. But don't despair: There are ways to boost your benefits, and ensure that old age doesn't equal penury.

Even if Social Security weren't falling apart -- which it manifestly is -- the average retiree benefits essentially amount to about what you'd earn working full time at a minimum wage job. That's hardly the retirement lifestyle you want. Here's a plan that will allow you to retire comfortably.

Every year about this time, I receive a lot of mail from seniors who are confused about whether they should file a tax return. The confusion stems from the fact that many seniors receive income from sources that might not be taxable, such as Social Security and tax-exempt bonds. Whether you're a...