NEW Worried about Social Security retirement benefits for yourself or a family member? This quick guide can help you understand the basics of Social Security retirement insurance, including eligibility, application steps, benefit amounts, and much more. Topics include:

• How retirement benefits are calculated using work credits
• Taxes on benefits and cost of living adjustments
• Full retirement age (FRA), early retirement, and delayed retirement
• Benefits for family members and survivors
• Social Security for workers with government pensions
• Communicating with the Social Security Administration
• Social Security and Medicare
• Social Security scams

As a former full-time human services coordinator, author Emily Pogue helped thousands of clients navigate the Social Security system. In this guide, she uses plain English explanations and easy-to-grasp examples to help readers understand how the system works and how to maximize Social Security retirement benefits.

The award-winning IN 30 MINUTES series has helped readers all over the world grasp complex topics, from health to social media.