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Timing Social Security: When You Should Collect Benefits

The best time to start collecting Social Security retirement benefits varies greatly between individuals. There are many factors to consider, including whether you are married, whether you or your spouse are still working, whether you are healthy or ill, whether you have other income, and whether you come from a long-lived family.

Question: I'm considering claiming my retirement benefits early, since I was just denied disability benefits.

Beneficiaries need to know how to collect life insurance and Social Security payments that belonged to the deceased; the executor of the estate doesn't usually handle this task.

Married couples can sometimes able to strategize the timing of their Social Security retirement benefits to get higher benefits for one or both spouses.

Until you reach full retirement age, working while receiving early retirement benefits may reduce your Social Security retirement benefits.

Should you claim Social Security benefits at early retirement age, full retirement age, or later? Learn the pros and cons of each option.

Even if you don’t make over the earned income limit for early retirement, you can still lose benefits if you work for your business.

Nolo's book covers how to maximize Social Security benefits by timing your and your spousals collection of benefits. Also explains Medicare and Medicaid long-term care rules benefits.

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When you hire someone to care for your parents, use this agreement to cover all the details and your concerns.You'll outline the person's responsibilities, hours, compensation, benefits and payment schedule.

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Our editors have over 100 years of combined experience practicing law. These professionals have worked in a wide range of legal areas, from estate planning to criminal law to business formation and beyond. They’re experts at explaining complicated legal issues in easy-to-understand terms.

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