Social Security Editorial Team
Social Security Editorial Team is the collective byline for our editorial team and contributor network. Articles published under this byline or an editorial pen name are researched, written, and reviewed according to our editorial standards for clarity, consistency, and independence before publication.
Claiming Social Security Early vs. Waiting Until 70: A Side-by-Side Look
Compare the trade-offs of taking Social Security at 62 against delaying to age 70, including break-even timelines, inflation adjustments, and survivor implications.
Divorced and Nearing Retirement: How Social Security Treats Former Spouses
Divorced individuals may be entitled to benefits based on an ex-spouse's record. Learn the eligibility rules, limitations, and how to claim without affecting your ex.
Earning Credits Toward Social Security: The 40-Quarter Rule Explained
Social Security eligibility hinges on earning 40 work credits. This guide explains how credits are earned, tracked, and what gaps in your record could mean.
Full Retirement Age Is Not What Many People Think It Is
Full retirement age varies by birth year and shapes every Social Security calculation. Here is what it means and why it matters for your claiming strategy.
Social Security Claiming Age: What the Numbers Actually Mean for Your Retirement
Understand how claiming Social Security at 62, 67, or 70 affects your lifetime benefit and what factors should guide your timing decision.
Social Security and Taxes: When Your Benefits Become Taxable Income
Up to 85 percent of Social Security benefits can be subject to federal income tax depending on your combined income. Learn how the threshold is calculated.
Spousal Social Security Benefits: Who Qualifies and How the Math Works
Learn how spousal Social Security benefits are calculated, who qualifies, and how married couples can coordinate claims to maximize household income.
Survivor Benefits and Social Security: What Widows and Widowers Need to Know
Survivor benefits can significantly affect retirement income after a spouse dies. This guide covers eligibility ages, benefit amounts, and strategic timing considerations.
Working While Collecting Social Security Before Full Retirement Age
If you claim Social Security before full retirement age and keep working, an earnings limit applies. Understand how it works and what happens to withheld benefits.