"The rules relating to social security are long, complex, and dry. This book distills the most relevant parts into a guide that is easy to follow." Brandon Renfro, Ph.D. NOW UPDATED FOR 2021!! Devin Carroll brings you a condensed, straightforward guide that gives you the nine essentials that everyone should know to navigate the maze of Social Security with confidence (without getting lost in the tangled web of Social Security rules). If you want to make sure you don't leave your Social Security benefits to chance, reading this book is a great first step in achieving that goal. The Cure for Complexity When Carroll first started studying Social Security, the massive website and rule book left him feeling like he was trying to drink from a fire hose. It was just too much information to make sense of all at once, and left him feeling overwhelmed. Sound familiar? Carroll's later experiences with clients who were distressed, confused, and burned by the Social Security system convinced him that something must be done to help people take the overly complex, verbose, and altogether unruly Social Security rules and distill them down into something simple, actionable, and understandable. After spending the last several years studying, speaking, and writing on Social Security, Carroll discovered that most questions on the topic could be answered through a solid understanding of the basics. That's what Carroll promises to teach you in this book: the essential knowledge you need to. In each chapter, Carroll details the specifics behind the rules, calculations, exceptions, and necessary information so you can correctly identify your own benefit, understand when you're entitled to more, make the best decision on when to file, and more. What others are saying... "Devin Carroll is the perfect person to untangle Social Security's mumbo-jumbo. He makes the rules simple to understand, taking concepts most people mess up and laying them out in an easy to understand format. Bravo!" Joe Saul-Sehy, Stacking Benjamins Podcast Creator and Host "Devin's book, Social Security Basics, is an indispensable resource in helping you make smart, informed decisions about your Social Security benefits so you'll have a more confident and comfortable retirement ahead of you." Russ Thornton, WealthcareForWomen.com "Making decisions about Social Security benefits can be intimidating but it doesn't have to be. This is a fantastic book to explain what you really need to know." David Waldrop, CFP - The Astute Advisor Blog and Bridgeview Capital Advisors

Social Security For Dummies, 2nd Edition (9781119293330) was previously published as Social Security For Dummies, 2nd Edition (9781118967560). While this version features a new Dummies cover and design, the content is the same as the prior release and should not be considered a new or updated product. Praise for Social Security For Dummies: "Social Security for Dummies is a must read for people of any age who want a comfortable retirement. Jonathan Peterson does a great job of explaining this complicated system and helps you understand how to get the most from the benefits you've earned. The difference between a smart claiming strategy and a dumb one can cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars, so you'll want to invest in this book." —Liz Weston, personal finance columnist and author of The 10 Commandments of Money "This is your go-to book on Social Security. Chock-full of useful tips, easy to use, and well organized, it answers all your questions about Social Security." —Steve Vernon, author of Money for Life: Turn Your IRA and 401(k) Into a Lifetime Retirement Paycheck and CBS MoneyWatch commentator "Social Security for Dummies is indispensable for anyone who wants to get the best possible deal from Social Security—and that means all of us, young and old, because everyone will need Social Security benefits in this era of disappearing pensions and dwindling savings. Strategies for single people, for married couples, for survivors, for divorced people: You can find expert advice on all these subjects and more in this easy-to-understand guide to a very complex subject." — Bob Rosenblatt, editor of HelpwithAging.com and Senior Fellow at the National Academy of Social Insurance About the book: Take the mystery out of Social Security and maximize your benefits when you retire Social Security For Dummies is the definitive resource to navigating the often-complex world of Social Security retirement benefits and the U.S. Social Security Administration. If you're nearing retirement age, or assisting someone who is, this guide will show you how to avoid common pitfalls, determine when you should claim your benefits, and figure out how much you can expect to receive each month. This newest edition provides updates to relevant dates and resources as well as an in-depth look at policy changes that will affect those about to retire. Packed with information that will help you make decisions that will maximize your financial well-being, this great resource makes it easy to understand everything you need to know quickly and easily. Understand new Social Security Administration policies and what they mean for you Determine how to incorporate Social Security into your overall retirement plan Get answers to common questions Find resources to use when you're stumped With Social Security For Dummies, you can take charge of your retirement and successfully navigate the U.S. Social Security Administration.

Here at last are the hard-to-find answers to the dizzying array of financial questions plaguing those who are age fifty and older. The financial world is more complex than ever, and people are struggling to make sense of it all. If you’re like most people moving into the phase of life where protecting—as well as growing-- assets is paramount, you’re faced with a number of financial puzzles. Maybe you’re struggling to get your kids through college without drawing down your life’s savings. Perhaps you sense your nest egg is at risk and want to move into safer investments. Maybe you’re contemplating downsizing to a smaller home, but aren’t sure of the financial implications. Possibly, medical expenses have become a bigger drain than you expected and you need help assessing options. Perhaps you’ll shortly be eligible for social security but want to optimize when and how to take it. Whatever your specific financial issue, one thing is certain—your range of choices is vast. As the financial world becomes increasingly complex, what you need is deeply researched advice from professionals whose credentials are impeccable and who prize clarity and straightforwardness over financial mumbo-jumbo. Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz and the Schwab team have been helping clients tackle their toughest money issues for decades. Through Carrie’s popular “Ask Carrie” columns, her leadership of the Charles Schwab Foundation, and her work across party lines through two White House administrations and with the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability, she has become one of America’s most trusted sources for financial advice. Here, Carrie will not only answer all the questions that keep you up at night, she’ll provide answers to many questions you haven’t considered but should.

Find all of the following, explained in plain-English: 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 Please note that this book does not cover Social Security disability benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Let's be honest, Social Security can be complicated. Social Security is vital to many people's retirement plans. Yet is so shrouded in uncertainty. There are so many different rules, income limitations, age requirements, cut-offs, and so on that it can drive a person mad. Your choices influence the size of your Social Security checks and making mistakes could accidentally shrink them. Understanding how your decisions affect your Social Security benefits can help you avoid devastating mistakes that could cost you tens of thousands of dollars over your retirement. Or cost you and your family important benefits. Find out what's important to you and get the information you need...Read on to learn all you need to know about Social Security. Here is just a tiny amount of what you will discover in this book: The BEST Age to file for Social Security Avoid depending on your children, family, relatives, or the community How to calculate Your Social Security Benefits (3 Easy Steps) Social Security Mistakes that have BIG consequences Why early retirement could be an expensive mistake and the secret to maximum benefits (patience pays off) How to easily apply for Social Security within twenty minutes The MAIN reason why people stop receiving disability benefits and how to avoid it The Four Parts of Medicare and what they mean for you Are Social Security benefits taxed? The best ways to make your claim decisions much easier and quicker What to do when your claim is denied And much, much more.. Social Security encompasses more than just retirement benefits, and the more you know, the more money you might collect from it. It can seem confusing and this book will help you in making the best decision for you instead of relying on some generic advice you find online or hear on the TV. Find it all in one place, This Book.