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 ...

Over 2.5 million people in the United States receive Social Security benefits, and more become eligible each year. If you are eligible for benefits, here’s what you need to know to apply. Before ...

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 ...

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 ...

A Social Security Number (SSN) is needed for employment in the United States. Students and scholars are eligible to apply if they are employed in the US or have been offered a job. If you are paid in ...

Applying for Social Security by phone can involve long wait times. If your account is flagged as a possible fraud risk, you may not be able to complete your application over the phone. Having all the ...

Katharine Paljug is a financial writer and editor with over a decade of industry experience. Her writing has covered nearly every aspect of the financial world, from investing in forex to paying for ...

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 ...