As of 2025, the maximum Social Security benefit is $5,108 per month — "but in reality, not many people qualify for the maximum amount," said Kiplinger.

On average, Social Security covers 30.11% of retirees’ spending. Find out where Social Security benefits will cover the highest and lowest percentage of your spending in retirement.

Additionally, Social Security may face financial strain that could weigh on COLA increases over the coming decades. That's why I'm not counting on Social Security to get me through retirement.

Do you know who can garnish your monthly Social Security benefit? Or take the funds from your bank account? Learn how to protect your benefits from creditors.

Social Security will increase the overpayment withholding rate to 50% in late July The SSA reduced the overpayment recovery rate from 100% to 10% under President Biden.

You can see how this plays out in the Social Security Administration's own data listing the average monthly benefit for retired workers at every possible claiming age between 62 and 70.

Some Social Security beneficiaries may notice smaller checks beginning in July. What to know about the new repayment policy.

As with all your financial decisions, your Social Security claiming age will affect your partner, though perhaps not in the way you think.

Sweeping cuts could upend many workers' retirement plans. One mistake on your part could hurt your retirement finances more so than a broad reduction in Social Security benefits. If you've been ...

Key Points Claiming early reduces your own retirement benefit, but it will not affect your partner's spousal benefit. If your partner claims early, that can reduce their spousal benefit by up to 35%.