Disable these ads

12 Ways to Maximize Your Social Security Checks

Following these tips will ensure you receive all the retirement income you're entitled to — which might be more than you realize.

•

Daughter looking at computer over the shoulder of her elderly mother.Gines Romero / Shutterstock.com

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 old-age safety net to a surprising degree by making some adjustments now or by making changes in your retirement planning.

The time to get started pumping up your Social Security checks is now, even if you’ve got decades to go before retirement. Following are some of the best ways to do just that.

Popular Articles

6 Tips to Age-Proof Your Resume
6 Tips to Age-Proof Your Resume

Finding a job isn’t easy — and it sometimes feels like too much experience actually counts against you. These tips will help.

How All 50 States Tax Your Retirement Income
How All 50 States Tax Your Retirement Income

Find out which states are friendly, and not-so friendly, with the money you’ll need in your later years.

5 Things You Should Stop Buying This Year
5 Things You Should Stop Buying This Year

These convenient household products often contain chemicals that can harm you or the environment — or they simply cost more than safer alternatives.

View this page without ads

Help us produce more money-saving articles and videos by subscribing to a membership.

Get Started

Trending Stories

5 Keys to Making Your Car Last for 200,000 Miles

5 Keys to Making Your Car Last for 200,000 Miles

Pushing your car to 200,000 miles — and beyond — can save you stashes of cash. Here's how to get there.

28 Things Everyone Must Keep in Their Car

Save More Money This Year Using 5 Fun Tricks

11 Keys to Finding a Car Mechanic You Can Trust

This Homemade Meal Is Cheap, Healthful and Requires No Cooking

This Homemade Meal Is Cheap, Healthful and Requires No Cooking

5 Ways Anyone Can Score Free Shipping for Online Purchases

5 Ways Anyone Can Score Free Shipping for Online Purchases

18 Ways to Save $100 This Week

18 Ways to Save $100 This Week

4 Ways to Cut TV Costs to $25 a Month — or Less

4 Ways to Cut TV Costs to $25 a Month — or Less

Comments

MTN Solutions Center

Find help with:
Making Extra Money Credit Card Debt Tax Debt Student Loan Debt Credit Restoration Debt Collectors Social Security
Find the best:
Credit Card Budget Personal Loan Mortgage Savings Account Cell Phone Plan Travel Deals

961 Active Deals

Men's Dress Shirts at Macy's for $10 + pickup at Macy's
Men's Dress Shirts at Macy's for $10 + pickup at Macy's

Macy's discounts a selection of men's dress shirts to $9.96. Opt for in-store pickup to avoid the $9.95 shipping fee. ... Read more.

Updated: 6 hr 58 min ago

Columbia Web Specials: Up to 70% off + free shipping
Columbia Web Specials: Up to 70% off + free shipping

Columbia takes up to 70% off a selection of its men's, women's, and kids' apparel and shoes via coupon code ... Read more.

Updated: 12 hr 35 min ago

Allen Edmonds Factory-Seconds Sale: Up to 70% off + free shipping
Allen Edmonds Factory-Seconds Sale: Up to 70% off + free shipping

Allen Edmonds cuts up to 70% off its factory-second shoes, with prices starting at $97, during its Factory-Seconds Sale. Plus, ... Read more.

Updated: 1 day 8 hr ago

Reebok Men's WOR Melange Doubleknit Shorts for $6 + free shipping
Reebok Men's WOR Melange Doubleknit Shorts for $6 + free shipping

Reebok offers its Reebok Men's WOR Melange Doubleknit Shorts in Crushed Cobalt for $12.99. Coupon code "EXTRA50" drops it to ... Read more.

Updated: 4 hr 7 min ago

Lids Clearance Sale: Up to 85% off + free shipping w/ $50
Lids Clearance Sale: Up to 85% off + free shipping w/ $50

Lids takes up to 85% off clearance items, with prices starting at $1. (The largest discounts can be found in ... Read more.

Updated: March 1, 2019

Walmart Savings Center
Walmart Savings Center

Walmart discounts a selection of electronics, automotive items, home goods, and more in its Savings Center. Choose in-store pickup to ... Read more.

Updated: 1 day 23 hr ago

Patagonia at Backcountry: Up to 60% off + free shipping w/ $50
Patagonia at Backcountry: Up to 60% off + free shipping w/ $50

Backcountry takes up to 60% off a selection of Patagonia gear. Shipping starts at $5.95, but orders of $50 or ... Read more.

Updated: 1 day 10 hr ago

adidas Men's Speed Trainer 3 Shoes for $28 + free shipping
adidas Men's Speed Trainer 3 Shoes for $28 + free shipping

adidas via eBay offers the adidas Men's Speed Trainer 3 Shoes in Navy or Royal for $34.99. Coupon code "JSPORTY" ... Read more.

Updated: 2 days 2 hr ago

Closetmaid 24" Vertical Closet Organizer for $50 + free shipping
Closetmaid 24" Vertical Closet Organizer for $50 + free shipping

Walmart continues to offer the Closetmaid 24" Vertical Closet Organizer in White for $49.87 with free shipping. That's tied with ... Read more.

Updated: 11 hr 56 min ago

Big Lots Weekly Deals Sale
Big Lots Weekly Deals Sale

Big Lots discounts a selection of furniture, bedding, home items, and more as part of its Weekly Deals Sale. Shipping ... Read more.

Updated: 6 days 5 hr ago

Lauren Men's Classic-Fit Vested Suit for $126 + free shipping
Lauren Men's Classic-Fit Vested Suit for $126 + free shipping

Macy's offers the Lauren Ralph Lauren Men's Classic-Fit Ultraflex Stretch Solid Vested Suit in Brown for $179.99. Coupon code "VIP" ... Read more.

Updated: 13 hr 4 min ago

Reebok Sale: Extra 50% off + free shipping
Reebok Sale: Extra 50% off + free shipping

Reebok takes an extra 50% off sales styles via coupon code "EXTRA50". Plus, rewards members receive free shipping. (Not a ... Read more.

Updated: 22 hr 58 min ago

Lauren Men's Ultraflex Classic Dress Pants for $20 + pickup at Macy's
Lauren Men's Ultraflex Classic Dress Pants for $20 + pickup at Macy's

Macy's offers the Lauren Ralph Lauren Men's Ultraflex Classic/Regular Fit Plaid Dress Pants in several colors (Mid Blue pictured) for ... Read more.

Updated: 1 week 1 day ago

Refurb Dell Latitude E7450 Laptops: 50% off + free shipping
Refurb Dell Latitude E7450 Laptops: 50% off + free shipping

Dell Refurbished Store takes 50% off any Dell Latitude E7450 laptop via coupon code "SAVE50E7450". Plus, all orders receive free ... Read more.

Updated: 1 day 4 hr ago

Anker at eBay: Extra 30% off $50 + free shipping
Anker at eBay: Extra 30% off $50 + free shipping

Anker via eBay takes an extra 30% off off cell phone accessories, computer accessories, and other electronics purchases of $50 ... Read more.

Updated: 5 days 7 hr ago

It's not the usual blah, blah, blah

Sign up for our free newsletter to receive our daily deals roundups by email!

Oxenfree for PC / Mac for free
Oxenfree for PC / Mac for free

Epic Games offers downloads of Oxenfree for Windows or Mac for free. That's the lowest price we could find by ... Read more.

Updated: 2 days 2 hr ago

Become an Android Developer from Scratch for free
Become an Android Developer from Scratch for free

Udemy offers the Become an Android Developer from Scratch Course for free. That's $13 less than we could find for ... Read more.

Updated: February 6, 2019

The North Face Men's Harway Insulated Jacket for $50 + free shipping
The North Face Men's Harway Insulated Jacket for $50 + free shipping

Dick's Sporting Goods offers The North Face Men's Harway Insulated Jacket in several colors (Urban Navy Heather pictured) for $49.50. ... Read more.

Updated: 1 week 4 days ago

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

Updated: February 3, 2019

Houzz Kitchen & Bath Remodel Sale: Up to 75% off
Houzz Kitchen & Bath Remodel Sale: Up to 75% off

Houzz takes up to 75% off a selection of kitchen and bathroom items as part of its Kitchen & Bath ... Read more.

Updated: 13 hr 4 min ago

Anker PowerHouse 120,000mAh Portable Outlet for $350 + free shipping
Anker PowerHouse 120,000mAh Portable Outlet for $350 + free shipping

AnkerDirect via eBay offers its Anker PowerHouse 120,000mAh Portable Outlet for $499.99. In cart, that falls to $349.99. With free ... Read more.

Updated: 2 days 7 hr ago

Fry's Tech Madness Sale
Fry's Tech Madness Sale

Fry's offers a range of discounts during its Tech Madness Sale. Where available, choose in-store pickup to dodge shipping fees, ... Read more.

Updated: 12 hr 34 min ago

Bestek USB Wall Charger w/ Travel Adapters for $4 + free shipping
Bestek USB Wall Charger w/ Travel Adapters for $4 + free shipping

Bestekmall offers its Bestek 2-Port USB Wall Charger with Worldwide Travel Plug Adapters for $9.98. Coupon code "FORPRO60" cuts that ... Read more.

Updated: 21 hr 31 min ago

Hanes Sale: 50% off over 350 styles + free shipping
Hanes Sale: 50% off over 350 styles + free shipping

Hanes takes 50% off select items. (Prices are as marked.) Alternatively, take an extra 15% off clearance items via coupon ... Read more.

Updated: 1 day 10 min ago

The North Face at Backcountry: Up to 65% off + free shipping w/ $50
The North Face at Backcountry: Up to 65% off + free shipping w/ $50

Backcountry takes up to 65% off a selection of The North Face apparel, shoes, accessories, and gear. (Prices are as ... Read more.

Updated: 2 days 7 hr ago

Furniture Closeouts at Macy's: 25% to 70% off + pickup at Macy's
Furniture Closeouts at Macy's: 25% to 70% off + pickup at Macy's

Macy's takes 25% to 70% off a selection of closeout furniture. Opt for in-store pickup, where possible, to avoid the ... Read more.

Updated: 13 hr ago

ASICS Men's Gel-Venture 6 MX Running Shoes for $28 + free shipping
ASICS Men's Gel-Venture 6 MX Running Shoes for $28 + free shipping

ASICS via Rakuten offers its ASICS Men's Gel-Venture 6 MX Running Shoes in Phantom/Sunflower for $34.99. Coupon code "APPAREL20" cuts ... Read more.

Updated: 12 hr 54 min ago

Ralph Lauren Men's Classic Vested Suit for $140 + free shipping
Ralph Lauren Men's Classic Vested Suit for $140 + free shipping

Macy's offers the Lauren Ralph Lauren Men's Classic-Fit UltraFlex Stretch Vested Suit in Navy for $199.99. Coupon code "VIP" cuts ... Read more.

Updated: 13 hr 6 min ago

Superdry Men's Polar Wind Attacker Jacket for $53 + free shipping
Superdry Men's Polar Wind Attacker Jacket for $53 + free shipping

Superdry via eBay continues to offer its Superdry Men's Polar Wind Attacker Jacket in Indigo Marl, Dark Charcoal Marl, or ... Read more.

Updated: 11 hr 14 min ago

This Week's 5 Hottest Deals
This Week's 5 Hottest Deals

It's somehow March, and while time may be inevitably slipping away from each and every one of us, the best ... Read more.

Updated: March 2, 2019

More Deals