Picture this. You've spent years listening to financial experts, reading every article, and absorbing all the conventional ...

Before filing taxes in 2026, compare your W-2s and 1099s to your Social Security earnings record so missing wages don't reduce future monthly checks later.

See February 2026 Social Security and SSI payment dates, why SSI checks arrived early, COLA changes, taxes, and what to do if your check is smaller.

There are three boxes you need to check before you apply. And you'll have to put in some real work to pull this off.

SSI beneficiaries are people with limited income who are either blind, aged 65 and older, or have another qualifying disability.

Americans become eligible for Social Security retirement benefits when they're in their early 60s, and for some, that's all they're waiting for to leave the workforce.

Waiting to claim Social Security benefits until age 70 would maximize your retirement income and secure a stronger financial ...