News
Social Security news
Curated daily from official SSA channels and trusted independent sources. Each item links out to the original.
Articles
How to Get Help From Social Security Faster in 2026
Social Security’s offices have been stretched by staffing cuts, but there are faster ways to get what you need. Here’s what to expect — and how to skip the longest waits.
2027 COLA Estimate: What 3.9% Could Mean at Age 62
An early estimate puts the 2027 cost-of-living adjustment at 3.9% — which would add roughly $54 a month to a typical 62-year-old’s benefit. But it is only a forecast; the official number won’t arrive until October 2026.
Social Security Could Face a ~$500 Monthly Cut in 2032
A new analysis finds that if Social Security’s retirement trust fund is exhausted on schedule in 2032, benefits would face an automatic ~24% cut — averaging about $500 a month — unless Congress acts. Here is what the numbers say and what they don’t.
Social Security Disability (SSDI): How It Works and Who Qualifies
SSDI pays monthly benefits to workers who can no longer work because of a serious, long-term disability and have paid into Social Security long enough. Here is how to qualify and how it differs from SSI.
The Social Security Fairness Act: WEP and GPO Repealed
The Social Security Fairness Act, signed in January 2025, repealed the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset — raising benefits for about 3 million public-sector workers and their families.
How to Apply for Social Security: A Step-by-Step Guide
You can apply for Social Security retirement benefits online in about 15 minutes, by phone, or in person — and you can start up to four months before you want benefits to begin. Here is what you need.
Social Security Payment Schedule 2026: When You Get Paid
Social Security pays monthly on a Wednesday set by your date of birth. Here is the 2026 schedule, the exceptions for SSI and pre-1997 beneficiaries, and how to find your exact dates.
Is Social Security Taxable? How Your Benefits Are Taxed
Social Security can be federally taxable, but most people pay tax on only part of their benefits — and many pay nothing. Whether yours are taxed depends on your “combined income.” Here are the 2026 thresholds.
Working While You Claim: The Social Security Earnings Test
You can work while collecting Social Security, but claiming before full retirement age triggers the earnings test, which temporarily withholds benefits above an annual limit. The catch: you get that money back.
Social Security and Medicare: How the Two Programs Work Together
Medicare is separate from Social Security, but tightly linked: you sign up through SSA, and your Part B premium comes out of your Social Security check. Here are the parts, the enrollment window, and the penalty for waiting.
Spousal and Survivor Benefits: Who Qualifies and How Much
Social Security pays spouses and widows too. A spouse can receive up to 50% of the higher earner’s benefit; a surviving spouse up to 100%. Here is how each works, and how claiming age changes the amount.
How Your Social Security Benefit Is Calculated
Your benefit is based on your highest 35 years of earnings, indexed for wage growth and run through the PIA formula. Here is each step — AIME, the 2026 bend points, and a worked example.
2026 COLA Increase Explained: What the 2.8% Adjustment Means for Your Benefits
The Social Security cost-of-living adjustment for 2026 is 2.8%. Here is how it is calculated, what it means for your monthly check, and when you will see it.
Understanding This Year’s Cost-of-Living Adjustment
The annual cost-of-living adjustment is now reflected in monthly benefits. Here is how the COLA is calculated and what the increase means for your payment.
Full Retirement Age and Claiming: How Your Age Changes Your Benefit
When you claim Social Security relative to your full retirement age permanently changes your monthly benefit. Here is how early and delayed claiming work.
How to Create and Use Your Personal my Social Security Account
A free online account lets you check your earnings record, estimate future benefits, and manage your information without visiting an office.
When Should You Claim Social Security? Weighing the Trade-offs
Claiming early reduces your monthly benefit, while waiting until 70 increases it. Here is how to think through the decision for your situation.
Medicare Part B Premiums: What to Expect This Year
A look at this year’s Medicare Part B premium and deductible changes and how they interact with Social Security’s COLA.
Understanding Your Social Security Statement
Your annual Statement shows your estimated benefits and earnings history. Here is how to read it and why it matters.