Social security for dummies

Introduction

Part 1: Getting started with Social Security. What Social Security is and why you need it ; A breakdown of benefits ; Deciding when to start collecting retirement benefits ; Protecting your number and securing your card

Part 2: Taking the plunge: filing for Social Security. Signing up for benefits ; Determining how much you've earned ; Navigating the system ; When you and Social Security disagree: the appeals process

Part 3: Who benefits and when. Spousal benefits: watching out for each other ; Family benefits: who gets what ; When you can't work: Social Security disability benefits

Part 4: Social Security and your future. Enrolling in Medicare ; Working in "retirement" ; Shaping a financial future you can live with

Part 5: The part of tens. Ten myths about Social Security ; Ten reasons young people should care about Social Security ; Ten choices facing the country about the future of Social Security

Part 6: Appendixes. Glossary ; Resources ; Strengthening Social Security.

What Social Security is and why you need it

A breakdown of benefits

Deciding when to start collecting retirement benefits

Protecting your number and securing your card

Signing up for benefits

Determining how much you've earned

Navigating the system

When you and Social Security disagree: the appeals process

Spousal benefits: watching out for each other

Family benefits: who gets what

When you can't work: Social Security disability benefits

Enrolling in Medicare

Working in "retirement"

Shaping a financial future you can live with

Ten myths about Social Security

Ten reasons young people should care about Social Security

Ten choices facing the country about the future of Social Security.

Introduction

The nuts and bolts of Social Security

Taking the plunge: filing for Social Security

Who benefits and when

Social Security and your future

The part of tens

Appendixes.