s a must read for people of any age who want a comfortable retirement. ... The difference between a smart claiming strategy and a dumb one can cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars, so you'll want to invest in this book."

--Liz Weston, personal finance columnist and author of the bestselling Your Credit Score and
The 10 Commandments of Money

Claim the benefits you've earned

The award-winning Social Security For Dummies--now in its fourth edition-- is the one guide you need to navigate the often-complex world of Social Security benefits. You'll learn when to start claiming, how much you can expect to receive, where to find Social Security calculators, and more.

Since 1937, workers across the United States have set aside a portion of their wages to fund Social Security, which, for many of us, forms the basis of our retirement income. Despite its central importance in our lives, few of us understand how Social Security really works. That's where Social Security For Dummies comes in. Written in an easy-to-follow, clear language, it provides comprehensive information on how to negotiate the sometimes labyrinthine system and claim everything you qualify for. You'll learn how to:

- Navigate the Social Security website

- Know which options you qualify for

- Use Social Security calculators

- Get answers to frequently asked questions

Retirement is the time for you to kick back, relax, and enjoy the fruits of your labors--Social Security For Dummies makes it easier.

Praise for Social Security For Dummies

"Social Security for Dummies is a must read for people of any age who want a comfortable retirement. Jonathan Peterson does a great job of explaining this complicated system and helps you understand how to get the most from the benefits you've earned. The difference between a smart claiming strategy and a dumb one can cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars, so you'll want to invest in this book."

--Liz Weston, personal finance columnist and author of The Ten Commandments of Money

"This is your go-to book on Social Security. Chock-full of useful tips, easy to use, and well organized, it answers all your questions about Social Security."
--Steve Vernon, author of Money for Life: Turn Your IRA and 401(k) Into a Lifetime Retirement Paycheck and CBS MoneyWatch commentator

"Social Security for Dummies is indispensable for anyone who wants to get the best possible deal from Social Security -- and that means all of us, young and old, because everyone will need Social Security benefits in this era of disappearing pensions and dwindling savings. Strategies for single people, for married couples, for survivors, for divorced people: You can find expert advice on all these subjects and more in this easy-to-understand guide to a very complex subject."

-- Bob Rosenblatt, editor of HelpwithAging.com and Senior Fellow at the National Academy of Social Insurance