As 2025 draws near, it is important for people in the United States to plan their finances carefully so that they can retire easily and in comfort.
Even though Social Security payments are very important to millions of people, they could be better used if a few simple things were changed. Let us find out what those changes are and see if we can actually make them.
With the right approach, people who get benefits can make sure that they get the most out of their income and that any extra benefits they may get are also being used well. This is the only way we can have great golden years and get the most out of Social Security.
4 steps to improve your Social Security in 2025
I agree that sometimes it can be hard to get your Social Security payment to go up, but if you have not already, you can usually make your future finances better.
So, here are four things to remember about our Social Security check in 2025:
1. Review your benefit estimate
One of the first important steps is to make sure you know your estimated Social Security benefit. This estimate is based on your earnings over the years and is crucial to accurately plan for your financial future.
If you already have years of contributions, you can easily review this estimate through your account on the Social Security Administration’s website.
This will help you estimate how much of your income will depend on Social Security and how much you will need to save on your own to supplement your retirement. Each case is totally unique, so you should carefully watch out what your contribution is using the calculator.
Also, remember that this estimate can change over time, since the more years you work, the more money you contribute. If your income increases or decreases significantly over the next few years, so will your estimate.
Therefore, it is advisable to review this figure regularly to adjust your savings goals. It is not necessary to look at it every month, but it is advisable to do so from time to time.
2. Determine the types of benefits you are eligible to receive
You may be able to get other types of benefits besides retirement benefits from Social Security. Some of these are benefits for widows or widowers, benefits for people going through divorce, and benefits for people with disabilities.
You might be able to get spousal benefits if you are married. These benefits can be up to half of your partner’s benefits. If you were married for at least 10 years and are now divorced, you may also be able to get benefits from your ex-spouse. So, there are several options to think about.
You may also be able to get Social Security benefits from a family member who has died if you are a survivor. These aids are necessary to keep your finances stable during tough times.
3. Discuss a claiming strategy with your spouse
It is very important to plan when to start getting Social Security benefits if you are married and both of you are eligible. The amount of your monthly payments will depend on how old you are when you decide to start claiming.
If you claim at age 62, your benefits could go down by up to 30%. If you wait until age 70, your monthly payment could go up by at least 24%. We might get a check for no more than $5,180 in 2025.
Talking about your choices with your partner will help you pick the best way to make the most money in retirement. Some couples choose to start making payments early so that they can get benefits right away, while others choose to delay one of the payments to get the most benefits over the long term.
4. Check your eligibility for other benefits such as SNAP or SSI
In addition to Social Security benefits, there are other assistance programs that may help improve your quality of life. Check to see if you are eligible for SNAP, which provides food assistance, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which offers additional support to people with low incomes and few resources.
These programs not only provide additional financial help, but can alleviate some of the financial burdens, especially in months with higher expenses.
As the cost of living continues to rise, making sure you are getting as many benefits as possible can make a difference in the quality of life during retirement. And also check at all times for all kinds of extra benefits you could be getting. These benefit payments can be month-to-month or an additional extra stimulus check.
In this sense, making the most of Social Security benefits and other assistance programs does not require complicated actions, although it is true that we must be attentive to everything that happens with our pensioner.
Therefore, reviewing your benefit estimate, knowing the types of benefits available, coordinating a strategy with your spouse and checking other available help can help you live a more comfortable and secure retirement. Implementing these simple steps can make a big difference in your long-term financial stability and well-being.