Key Points Make sure you understand how to maximize your benefits. Figure out how important survivor benefits might be to you. See how Social Security fits into your overall retirement finances. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › Deciding when to claim Social Security is one of the most important financial choices you might make in your lifetime. And if you're married, that's not a decision you should be making alone. Here are three crucial things all spouses ne ...

Group 1 - The article discusses the varying retirement plans of individuals, emphasizing that having more money facilitates the realization of these plans [1] - Social Security is a significant component of retirement finances for many Americans, leading them to seek ways to maximize their benefits, including continuing to work after claiming benefits [2] - The Social Security retirement earnings test (RET) is designed to prevent individuals from receiving full benefits while earning substantial income from other sources [4] Group 2 - For individuals who will not reach full retirement age in 2026, the earnings limit is set at $24,480, an increase from $23,400 in 2025, with benefits reduced by $1 for every $2 earned over this limit [5] - For those reaching full retirement age in 2026, the earnings limit is $65,160, up from $62,160 in 2025, with benefits reduced by $1 for every $3 earned over this threshold [6] - It is crucial to note that the RET only applies to those claiming Social Security before reaching full retirement age; once full retirement age is reached, there are no earnings limits [7]