5 Creative Things To Do With Your Social Security in 2026

Core Insights - Social Security can be utilized beyond basic expenses, providing opportunities for investment and charitable giving [1][2] Investment Strategies - Retirees can invest surplus Social Security payments into income-generating assets to enhance portfolio longevity, with recommendations for Treasury securities, real estate, and dividend-paying stocks [3][4] - Diversified funds like exchange-traded funds and real estate investment trusts are suggested as low-cost investment options [4] - High-yield savings accounts and conservative bond funds are recommended for short-term needs, while Roth IRAs can provide tax-free growth for those with covered near-term expenses [5] Charitable Giving - Extra Social Security income can be directed towards charitable contributions, allowing retirees to support causes they care about [6][7] - Strategic charitable giving can offer tax benefits, such as charitable bunching or establishing a Donor Advised Fund [7] Legacy Planning - Surplus Social Security income can be used for legacy planning, enabling retirees to gift money to family members or grow their estates [8]