Editorial
Editorial standards
How we research, review, and correct what you read here — and why you can trust it.
Social Security decisions are high-stakes, so accuracy is the whole job. This page explains how SocialSecurityNews.com produces its content, where our figures come from, how we keep them current, and how we handle mistakes.
Independence
SocialSecurityNews.com is an independent publication. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the U.S. Social Security Administration, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or any government agency. We do not sell financial products, and nothing here is individualized financial, legal, or tax advice. Our only obligation is to our readers.
Primary sources first
Our explainers and figures are built on primary, official sources — the Social Security Administration (ssa.gov), Medicare.gov, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the SSA Office of the Chief Actuary, the Trustees Report, and Congress. When we state a number — a COLA, a bend point, a wage base, an earnings-test limit — it comes from the official announcement, and we link to it so you can verify it yourself.
Accuracy & review process
Original guides carry a byline and a “last reviewed” date. Figures that change every year — the cost-of-living adjustment, PIA bend points, the taxable maximum, and earnings-test limits — are checked against the official figures and updated when the government announces new ones (typically each October, effective the following January). Our calculators use these same published figures, and we state which year’s values apply.
Plain language, no hype
We write in plain English, define jargon, and avoid hype, scare tactics, and clickbait. We don’t use exclamation points to manufacture urgency. If a topic is genuinely uncertain or has important exceptions, we say so rather than oversimplify.
Corrections
We correct errors promptly. If you spot something inaccurate or out of date, please tell us through the site and we’ll review it. When we make a substantive correction to a guide, we update its “last reviewed” date so you know it has been re-checked.
Estimates, not advice
Our tools produce estimates using official formulas and simplified inputs; your actual benefits depend on your full earnings record and circumstances. Always confirm your specific figures with the Social Security Administration through your my Social Security account, and consult a qualified professional before making decisions.
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