Jonathan Peterson 
Social Security For Dummies 

The top seller in personal finance–now in a new edition

This new edition of the perennial bestseller will help you navigate the Social Security system and get the benefits you have earned. In one simple volume, it covers how to qualify, the best time to start accepting Social Security benefits, and important policy updates that affect you. Whether you’re eligible for retirement, survivor, spousal, or disability benefits, this guide answers your questions and provides all the information you’ll need. You’ll find–
* A comprehensive review of the updated Social Security website
* A fresh look at available Social Security calculators
* An updated discussion on marital filing strategies
* Resources to use when you’re stumped

Everything you need to make sense of Social Security benefits is outlined in clear, easy-to-follow steps from AARP experts you can trust. With this critical resource, you’ll be able to make the best decision for yourself or a loved one.

Table of Content

Introduction 1

Part 1: Getting Started with Social Security 5

Chapter 1: What Social Security Is and Why You Need It 7

Chapter 2: A Breakdown of Benefits 19

Chapter 3: Deciding When to Start Collecting Retirement Benefits 39

Chapter 4: Protecting Your Number and Securing Your Card 57

Part 2: Taking the Plunge: Filing for Social Security 73

Chapter 5: Signing Up for Benefits 75

Chapter 6: Determining How Much You’ve Earned 89

Chapter 7: Navigating the System 99

Chapter 8: When You and Social Security Disagree: The Appeals Process 123

Part 3: Who Benefits and When 141

Chapter 9: Spousal Benefits: Watching Out for Each Other 143

Chapter 10: Family Benefits: Who Gets What 157

Chapter 11: When You Can’t Work: Social Security Disability Benefits 173

Part 4: Social Security and Your Future 197

Chapter 12: Enrolling in Medicare 199

Chapter 13: Working in ‘Retirement’ 221

Chapter 14: Shaping a Financial Future You Can Live With 241

Part 5: The Part of Tens 253

Chapter 15: Ten Myths about Social Security 255

Chapter 16: Ten Reasons Young People Should Care about Social Security 265

Chapter 17: Ten Choices Facing the Country about the Future of Social Security 273

Part 6: Appendixes 281

Appendix A: Glossary 283

Appendix B: Resources 291

Appendix C: Strengthening Social Security 297

Index 301

About the author

Jonathan Peterson is a former executive communications director at AARP and an award-winning journalist. His interest in Social Security began when he covered the political debate that led to major reforms in 1983. He is a former economics and politics correspondent for the Los Angeles Times.