In 2024, the life expectancy for someone born in 1959 was 74 for men and 80.1 for women, according to a Social Security report. The report predicts continuing increases in life expectancy, which translates into even more years that beneficiaries will receive Social Security checks.

Your full retirement age (FRA) is the age at which you'll collect 100% of your benefit based on your work history. This age varies by birth year, but it's age 67 for everyone born in 1960 or later. Those born before 1960 will have a FRA of either 66 or 66 and a few months.

A half-dozen changes, concerning everything from Social Security checks to the payroll tax select workers will owe, are now in effect.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is set to begin distributing the first round of monthly benefits for the year 2025. Nearly 73 million beneficiaries, including retired workers, survivors, and recipients of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI),

Note that as of November, the average monthly Social Security benefit was $1,925 -- or about $23,000 annually. Of course, if you've earned more than average in your working life, you'll receive more,

What You Need to Know to Maximize Your Benefits Social Security is a critical component of retirement planning for many Americans. Whether you’re approaching retirement, managing benefits for a spouse,