Social Security is an earned benefit. You become eligible by paying the payroll tax during your working years, and the amount you get is geared to your wage history - with a glaring exception.

Social Security has a big birthday coming up next year -- it's turning 90! It's kept many millions of people out of poverty for decades and was recently supporting more than 71 million people with around $1.5 trillion in benefits for the year.

If you were planning to retire next year, double check your math because a law passed in the ’80s is annually raising the age when Americans can collect their full Social Security benefits. And next year is no exception.

The Senate voted early Saturday morning to repeal two laws that prevent many public employees from receiving Social Security, a move that is expected to weigh on the overall solvency of the Social Security system.

If you wait to claim spousal benefits until your full retirement age, you can receive up to half the amount of your spouse's benefit.

The age at which full retirement benefits can be received rises next year, as experts warn those preparing to retire not to be caught out.

Some retirees come up with creative ways to supplement their Social Security when they can’t rely on retirement accounts or pensions. Eldonna Edwards, a retired former certified massage therapist and author based in California,