The 2026 Social Security Earnings Test: What Changes If You Work While Collecting
If you claim Social Security before full retirement age and continue working, the earnings test limits apply—and the 2026 thresholds have been updated in ways that affect how much you can earn before benefits are reduced.
All Social Security Articles5 more
When Should You Claim Social Security? The Breakeven Analysis
Claiming at 62, 67, or 70 each has real tradeoffs. Here's how to think through the breakeven math, spousal strategies, and the often-overlooked earnings test.
January 15, 2025
Social Security COLA 2025: The 2.5% Adjustment and What It Means for Your Check
The 2025 cost-of-living adjustment came in at 2.5 percent—the smallest in four years—raising the average retirement benefit by about $49 per month starting in January.
October 10, 2024
SSA Upgrades Its Online Portal: What Retirees Should Know About the New My Social Security
The Social Security Administration overhauled its homepage and tightened identity verification requirements in 2025—changes that affect how beneficiaries access their accounts and manage benefits online.
July 12, 2024
The Social Security Break-Even Analysis: Claiming at 62, 67, or 70
The decision of when to begin Social Security benefits is among the most consequential a retiree makes. The break-even analysis — grounded in SSA actuarial data — provides a framework for understanding what is actually at stake.
May 6, 2024
How Social Security Spousal Benefits Work: The 50% Rule, Eligibility, and Divorced Spouse Rules
Social Security spousal benefits allow a married or formerly married person to collect up to 50% of a spouse's benefit — but claiming age, filing rules, and eligibility requirements all affect the final monthly amount.
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March 4, 2025Free Weekly Briefing
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