Includes index.

How your Social Security retirement benefits, spousal benefits, and widow/widower benefits are calculated. How your benefits are affected if you have a government pension or if you continue working while claiming Social Security. How to decide when is the best age for you (and your spouse, if you're married) to claim Social Security in order to get the most out of your benefits. Whether or not it makes sense to take Social Security early in order to invest the money. How to check your earnings record on the Social Security Administration's website to make sure you're getting the full benefit you deserve. How Social Security benefits are taxed and how this affects retirement tax planning.

It's a sure bet that the Social Security system will continue to evolve-- but you need to understand the system now. Piper shows you how your Social Security retirement benefits, spousal benefits, and widow/widower benefits are calculated, and explains the factors and benefits that affect when you should retire. He also covers topics such as how to check your earnings record on the Social Security Administration's website, and how to benefits are taxed.