Social Security spousal benefits depend on the claim age of the spouse and the primary insurance amount (PIA) of the retired worker on whose record they claim benefits. The term PIA references the benefit a retired worker will receive if they start Social Security at full retirement age (FRA), which is age 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later.

SSDI payments are staggered based on birth date. Beneficiaries receive payments on different Wednesdays. The average monthly payment is $1,976.

Claiming Social Security early sounds ideal if you are ready to retire before the age of 65, but you may not be seeing the whole financial picture of early retirement. Whether you want to

If you’re like most seniors, you’ll rely on  Social Security to provide a good portion of your income once you retire. But, it can be hard to figure out exactly what role Social Security will play in supporting you if you don’t know how much money you’ll get from the benefits program.

A big concern surrounding retirement is wondering how much money you'll receive once you apply for Social Security benefits. Knowing how much you'll be bringing in will allow you to comfortably make adjustments in order to plan for your future.

Social Security is a cornerstone of retirement income for many Americans, yet the amount you receive isn't set in stone. Understanding how to optimize your benefits can significantly impact your financial future.