Social Security can go a long way in retirement, and it's even responsible for keeping around 16.5 million adults age 65 and older above the poverty line, according to 2022 data from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

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.

The new Social Security Fairness Act was just signed into law by President Biden. What is the Act and how could it impact your Social Security benefits in 2025?

Divorced spouses can also qualify for these benefits, as long as you're not currently married and your previous marriage lasted for at least 10 years. If you've been divorced for fewer than two years, you'll also need to wait to file until your ex-spouse begins claiming.

Note, too, that there are multiple ways to increase your Social Security benefits, such as delaying claiming them. Another smart move is setting up a my Social Security account at the Social Security Administration (SSA) website,

Fact checked by Giselle Cancio If you're a qualified American, you're entitled to receive your hard-earned Social Security benefits in retirement. However, you may find yourself in a situation where your Social Security benefits are smaller than expected because you've earned too much money while receiving early retirement benefits.

If you're nearing retirement, you may be asking yourself the same question millions of Americans have asked themselves: when should I begin claiming my Social Security benefits? The unfortunate truth is that the vast majority of claimants make the wrong decision,