16 Ways to Get Bigger Checks From Social Security

Small decisions you make now can be worth tens of thousands of dollars in your golden years.

Marilyn Lewis • February 11, 2015

Photo (cc) by jonolist

If you have focused all your retirement planning energy on your 401(k), you may be missing a key piece of the puzzle: Social Security. You can influence your eventual payout from this safe, dull old-age safety net to a surprising degree by making some adjustments and changes in your planning.

The time to get started pumping up your Social Security checks is now, even if you’ve got decades to go before retirement, as Money Talks News founder Stacy Johnson explains in the video below. Check it out, then read on.

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Backcountry takes up to 65% off a selection of The North Face apparel, shoes, accessories, and gear. (Prices are as marked.) Shipping starts at $5.95, but orders of $50 or more qualify for free shipping. Some exclusions may apply.

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Updated: 6 days 19 hr ago

Today only, T.J.Maxx offers no-minimum free shipping sitewide. That's tied with our mention from a month ago and yields a savings of at least $9 on all orders.

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Updated: 8 hr 16 min ago

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Updated: January 29, 2019

Fry's offers a range of discounts during its Presidents' Day Sale. Where available, choose in-store pickup to dodge shipping fees, which start at $1.99, although most orders of $35 or more bag free shipping. (Over-size items may incur additional fees; select items under $35 also ship free, as marked.) Save on laptops, TVs, major appliances, and more. Note: Nearly all deals will require a newsletter promo code, available only to newsletter subscribers. (If you're not already a subscriber, click here to sign up now.)

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Updated: 4 days 7 hr ago

YouTube continues to offer a selection of HD movies to stream for free (with ads). That's tied with our mention from a month ago and around $3 to $5 less than you'd pay for a rental of these movies elsewhere. Movies include The Terminator (pictured), Europa Report, All Dogs Go to Heaven, and Zookeeper.

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Updated: December 31, 2018

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Updated: 2 days 1 hr ago

Uniqlo Men's Ultra Light Down Vest for $20 + $5 s&h

Uniqlo offers its Uniqlo Men's Ultra Light Down Vest in several colors (Light Grey pictured) for $19.90 plus $5 for shipping. That's $5 less than our mention from last May, $30 off list, and the lowest price we could find. It's available in select sizes from XS to 3XL.

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Updated: 1 week 5 days ago

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Shively Sporting Goods via eBay offers the adidas Men's Game Built Climalite Polo Shirt in several colors (Gold/White pictured) for $12.99 with free shipping. That's tied with last week's mention, $52 off list, and the best price we could find. It's available in select size S only to 3XL.

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Updated: 4 days 23 hr ago

2-in-1 LED Light & Ceiling Fan for $10 + $1 s&h

As one of its daily deals, That Daily Deal offers the 2-in-1 LED Camping Light and Ceiling Fan for $9.99 plus $1 for shipping. That's $2 under our mention from last July and the lowest price we could find now by $3. It features 18 LED bulbs, a built in handle, and a hanging hook. Deal ends February 20.

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Updated: 23 hr 49 min ago

Frontier Airlines Nationwide Fares from $19 1-Way

Frontier Airlines via DealBase continues to discount select Frontier Airlines Nationwide 1-Way Fares, with prices starting from $19.30. (On the landing page, click on "Frontier Airlines" in the top line to see this sale.) That's tied with our expired mention from yesterday and the lowest price we could find for select routes now by $5, although most airlines charge $62 or more. This price is valid on flights departing from Atlanta, GA, (ATL) with arrival in Orlando, FL, (MCO) on March 11. Blackout dates and exclusions apply. Book this travel deal by by February 20 for travel from February 26 through April 4. All prices, dates, and booking details were valid at the time of publication.

Frontier Airlines Nationwide Fares from $19 1-Way

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Updated: 1 day 2 hr ago

Participating IHOP locations offer All-You-Can Eat-Pancakes for $4.99. That's the best deal we've seen on large quantities of pancakes. Click here to find a restaurant near you.

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Updated: January 6, 2019

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CRC Heavy Duty Silicone Lubricant 11-oz. Can for $2 + pickup at Walmart

Available for in-store pickup only and with stock varying by location, Walmart offers the CRC Heavy Duty Silicone Lubricant 11-oz. Can for $2.28. That's tied with our mention from a week ago, $11 off list, and the lowest price we could find. It eliminates sticking, binding, and squeaking on various surfaces, and can also be used as a protectant.

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Jack Link's Beef Steak 1-oz. Stick for 10 cents + in-store at Walmart

In-store only and with price varying by ZIP code, Walmart offers the Jack Link's Beef Steak 1-oz. Stick in KC Masterpiece for 10 cents. (Link is for reference only.) That's around a buck per ounce under what you'd expect to pay elsewhere.

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Updated: 2 weeks 2 days ago

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Updated: January 7, 2019

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Updated: January 23, 2019

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Traveler Guitar Ultra-Light Acoustic Guitar for $180 + free shipping

Musician's Friend via eBay offers the Traveler Guitar Ultra-Light Acoustic Guitar for $179.99 with free shipping. That's $120 off list and the best price we could find. It features 22 frets.

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Updated: 4 hr 9 min ago

Meguiar's 9-Piece Complete Car Care Kit for $9 + in-store at Walmart

Available in-store only and with price varying by ZIP code, Walmart offers the Meguiar's 9-Piece Complete Car Care Kit for $9. (Link is for reference only.) That's $11 off list and the lowest price we could find. It includes: Super Soap Quik Interior Detailer Heavy Duty Bug & Tar Remover Ultimate Quik Wax Perfect Clarity Glass Cleaner Hot Shine Tire Coating car wash sponge, microfiber towel, air freshener

Meguiar's 9-Piece Complete Car Care Kit for $9 + in-store at Walmart

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Updated: 58 min ago

Ozark Trail 6-Person All-Season Wall Tent for $269 + free shipping

Walmart offers the Ozark Trail 6-Person All-Season Outfitter Wall Tent in Brown/ Khaki for $269 with free shipping. That's tied with last week's mention and the lowest price we could find by at least $31 today. It features three large zippered windows with mesh, color-coded poles, powder-coated steel frame, and two vents.

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Newport Coast Cascading Bamboo Fountain for $7 + pickup at Walmart

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Updated: 4 days 5 hr ago

Refurb Unlocked Galaxy S8 64GB Android Phone for $200 + free shipping

Cellfeee via eBay offers the refurbished Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S8 64GB GSM Android Smartphone in several colors (Midnight Black pictured) for $199.99 with free shipping. That's tied with last week's refurb mention and the best deal we've seen. (It's $214 under the lowest price we could find for a new one.) Features include: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 8-core processor 5.8" 2960x1440 Super AMOLED touchscreen LCD 4GB RAM & 64GB internal storage 12MP rear and 8MP front cameras & 4K video recording 802.11ac wireless & Bluetooth 5.0 microSD card slot Android 7.0 (Nougat) Note: No warranty information is provided. These units have an LCD shadow but are otherwise fully functional.

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Cellfeee via eBay offers the refurbished Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S8 64GB GSM Android Smartphone in several colors (Midnight Black pictured) ... Read more.

Updated: 3 days 7 hr ago

SiriusXM Satellite Radio 3-Month Trial for free

SiriusXM Satellite Radio offers a 3-month Streaming Service Trial for free. That's a savings of about $42 per month and the best offer we've seen from Sirius. (The previous best was a 2-month trial last July.) Deal includes every channel Sirius offers including premium channels, along with online and app streaming. Some exclusions may apply. Be sure to cancel the trial before the three months are up to avoid billed for further months.

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Updated: 1 week 4 days ago

3M Filtrete Allergen Defense HVAC Filter 3pk for $18.. or less + pickup at Walmart

Walmart offers the 3M Filtrete Allergen Defense HVAC Filter 3-Pack for $17.88. Opt for in-store pickup to dodge the $5.99 shipping fee. That's tied with last week's mention, $9 off list, and the lowest price we could find. These filters feature an 800 MPR and last up to three months. They're available in select sizes from 12" x 24" x 1" to 20" x 30" x 1". Note: They're available for $16.99 in size 20" x 20" x 1"

3M Filtrete Allergen Defense HVAC Filter 3pk for $18.. or less + pickup at Walmart

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Updated: 1 day 8 hr ago

eBay discounts select apparel, toys, TVs, laptops, tools, and more as part of its Presidents' Day Sale. Plus, all orders receive free shipping. New deals will be added throughout the day.

eBay Presidents' Day Sale

eBay discounts select apparel, toys, TVs, laptops, tools, and more as part of its Presidents' Day Sale. Plus, all orders ... Read more.

Updated: 6 days 6 hr ago

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