Some retirees overlook Social Security benefits, assuming that they only constitute a small portion of their retirement income, while others believe there's relatively little that can be done to increase their lifetime benefits. The reality is that Social Security is an asset that could potentially be worth more than $1.75 million over the course of your and your partner's lifetimes.1

Despite the income potential over time, the Social Security Administration estimates 70% of beneficiaries are receiving permanently reduced benefits. That's why it's important to consider how Social Security benefits factor into your larger financial plan for retirement to make sure you're receiving the maximum benefits to suit your needs.

There are a number of factors to consider when deciding when to file for your Social Security benefits and everyone's circumstances are different. Fully comprehending the ins and outs of Social Security can be difficult, and it's understandable if you have questions surrounding how and when to claim your benefits.

To help clear up any confusion and to limit the chances you'll leave any of your hard-earned benefits on the table, we've compiled a comprehensive set of guidelines that contain the most commonly asked Social Security questions to help you file for your benefits with confidence.



