There are three ways to apply for Social Security: Online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213 or in person. Applying online is the fastest and easiest method. Timing your benefits can significantly ...

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 ...

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 ...

Social Security problems can be solved online, over the phone or via an in-person appointment. People can apply for most benefits online as well as check the status of their application, change direct ...

You've looked forward to claiming Social Security for a long time. Now you only have an application and a few months of waiting standing between you and monthly checks for the rest of your life. Those ...

If you want to get the most out of the program, there are a few key steps you need to take before you sign up so you can complete your application quickly and optimize your lifetime benefit. If any of ...

Next to those, small decisions like how you're going to sign up for checks seem inconsequential. But the way you choose to apply can affect how long it takes to submit your application and get ...

This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here. Dear Liz: I’m 59. In 8 years, I will qualify for an average Social Security income. I have no retirement saved and ...

Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Your age at sign up will dictate the size of your Social Security benefit. Spouses can coordinate their claiming strategies to ...

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 ...

Many people are mentally ready to start receiving Social Security checks long before they become eligible for them at 62. But wanting checks and actually applying for them are two separate things. If ...