Social Security: 96% of Americans Could Be Leaving Benefits on the Table Without Realizing It

Most Americans rely on Social Security to make ends meet, with a 2024 Gallup poll finding that 60% of retirees say their benefits are a "major" source of income. But understanding how the program works -- and maximizing your checks -- is often easier said than done.If you're not entirely sure how your benefits are calculated, you're not alone. Only 4% of U.S. adults can correctly name all five factors influencing their benefit amount, according to a 2024 survey from the Nationwide Retirement Institute. Not knowing the ins and outs of Social Security may seem harmless, but it could potentially affect your benefits by hundreds of dollars per month. Here are the five factors you need to know, as well as how to make the most of your monthly payments.Continue readingWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei MotleyFool Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei MotleyFool