Social security made simple

By Mike Piper

Subjects: Social security taxes, Social security, Planning, Personal Finance, Retirement

Description: How your Social Security retirement benefits, spousal benefits, and widow/widower benefits are calculated. How your benefits are affected if you have a government pension or if you continue working while claiming Social Security. How to decide when is the best age for you (and your spouse, if you're married) to claim Social Security in order to get the most out of your benefits. Whether or not it makes sense to take Social Security early in order to invest the money. How to check your earnings record on the Social Security Administration's website to make sure you're getting the full benefit you deserve. How Social Security benefits are taxed and how this affects retirement tax planning.