News
Social Security news
Curated daily from official SSA channels and trusted independent sources. Each item links out to the original.
Articles
Why Retirees Lean on Social Security More Than IRAs
For most retirees, Social Security — not an IRA or 401(k) — is the financial backbone of retirement. SSA’s own data shows why, and what it means for planning your own income.
Two Bipartisan Plans to Fix Social Security
Two new bipartisan proposals to shore up Social Security are getting attention: one would lift the cap on wages subject to the payroll tax, the other would borrow $1.5 trillion to invest in the markets. Neither is law. Here’s what each would do — and the criticism each faces.
The Social Security ‘Tax Torpedo,’ Explained
The “tax torpedo” is a quirk that can push a middle-income retiree’s real tax rate far above their bracket — because each extra dollar of income can make more of your Social Security benefit taxable too. Here’s how it works and how people plan around it.
A New Bill Would Repeal Social Security’s Earnings Test
A bill in Congress would scrap the rule that withholds benefits from people who claim early and keep working. It’s not law — and there’s a catch most coverage skips: those withheld benefits aren’t actually lost. Here’s what it would do and the trade-offs.
When Do Most People Claim Social Security?
Most people claim early — about a third start at 62, and only about 1 in 10 wait until 70, even though research says waiting maximizes lifetime income for most. Here’s what the data shows and why your timing is one of the biggest retirement decisions you’ll make.
A New Bipartisan Push to Fix Social Security’s Shortfall
With Social Security’s trust fund headed for trouble around 2032, lawmakers are pushing "process" bills to force action — a House commission bill and the Senate’s PROMISE Act, now opposed by AARP over process and by Sen. Sanders over what it could produce. Nothing is law yet. Here’s what each would do and the full menu of fixes, explained neutrally.
How to Appeal a Social Security Decision
If Social Security denies your claim or makes a decision you disagree with, you can appeal — but you usually have just 60 days, and there are four levels. Here’s how the process works and how to act fast.
Can You Collect Social Security If You Retire Abroad?
Yes — U.S. citizens can usually receive Social Security in most countries, and your benefit amount doesn’t change. But there are real catches: a few countries where SSA can’t pay you, and the big one — Medicare doesn’t come with you.
May Inflation Rose to 4.2%: What It Means for the COLA
Inflation jumped to 4.2% in May — the highest in three years — mostly on an oil-price spike. It nudges 2027 Social Security COLA estimates up, but two facts keep it from being a 4.2% raise: the COLA uses a different index, and only July through September counts.
What the New Inflation Report Means for the 2027 COLA
A fresh inflation report lands June 10, and it will hint at where the 2027 Social Security COLA is heading. But here is the catch most coverage skips: it won’t actually count toward the COLA — only July through September will.
Why October Is a Big Month for Social Security
Every October, Social Security reveals the most important numbers for the year ahead — the COLA, and the figures that travel with it. Here is what gets announced, why it happens then, and when it takes effect.
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: What the Official 3.6% Means at 62
The official 2027 cost-of-living adjustment is 3.6% — which adds roughly $50 a month to a typical 62-year-old’s benefit. Here’s what it means at 62, and how forecasts moved all year before the official number arrive until October 2026.
Social Security Could Face a ~$500 Monthly Cut in 2032
If Social Security’s retirement trust fund is exhausted on schedule in 2032, benefits would face an automatic cut — about 22% per the official 2026 Trustees Report, unless Congress acts. Here is what the numbers say and what they don’t.
Social Security Disability (SSDI): How Much It Pays
SSDI pays monthly benefits to workers who can no longer work because of a serious, long-term disability. In 2026 the average benefit is about $1,630 a month and the maximum is $4,152. Here is how the amount is calculated and how to qualify.