Explore the Social Security benefit amounts you can receive at various retirement ages and whether the monthly amount or the lifetime amount matters more to you.

You can, technically, retire whenever you like, but the age you do it at can have a big impact on collecting Social Security benefits.

The earlier you claim Social Security, the smaller your monthly benefit will be. You must wait until 70 to apply if you want your largest possible checks. There are scenarios where claiming early ...

Tens of millions of Americans receive Social Security benefits each year, yet many leave money on the table when they claim their retirement money. That's because most retirees claim their benefits ...

Jordyn joined Investopedia in February 2025. She was previously a freelance writer covering lifestyle, entertainment, politics in the Midwest, and more. Investopedia / Photo Illustration by Alice ...

If you live with a disability, you can receive either SSI or SSDI, though these benefit programs have slightly different qualification criteria. If you’re on SSDI, you can also be eligible for ...

For many Americans, Social Security is the cornerstone of retirement income. Nearly 90% of people over age 65 receive benefits from the program, according to the latest data from the Social Security ...

You probably know your Social Security benefit depends on your earnings throughout your career. On the one hand, that's a good thing for workers because it means you have an opportunity to increase ...