Women's Health November 8, 2025 0 Comments

Unlock These 4 Little-Known Social Security Hacks That Could Instantly Pump Up Your Monthly Check!

Think Social Security is just a straightforward government check for retirees? Think again. It’s one of those things that sounds simple on the surface but hides a heap of surprises underneath — kind of like expecting a quick jog and ending up on a mountain trail. Honestly, I always assumed once you hit a certain age, you just flipped the switch and the money started rolling in. But turns out, there’s a lot more to it, from working while drawing benefits, to the sneaky fact that your payout might actually get taxed, and even the game-changing power of waiting to claim your benefits. It’s not just about retirement either; it’s a safety net for all sorts of situations that many folks aren’t clued up on. Ready to have your mind blown and maybe rethink your financial game plan? Let’s dive into the four most shocking things about Social Security you probably didn’t know. LEARN MORE

Social Security might seem simple, but according to experts that couldn’t be further from the truth. There are so many things people don’t know about the government program that provides money to millions of Americans every month. Below, we share the four most shocking things you might not know about Social Security.

4 things you might not know about Social Security

Social Security was created in 1935 and has helped millions of Americans fund their day-to-day lives. And while you may think you know everything you need to know about the program, we talked to experts, who offered up a few surprising tidbits. Read on for the info.

You don’t have to stop working to receive your benefits

Most people believe that in order to claim Social Security, you have to be retired. Bur Registered Social Security Analyst Laurie Bodish debunks that rumor, saying, “An individual does not have to stop working to collect their benefit. There are earnings limits if you claim your benefit before your full retirement age (62 to 67), but you can earn as much as you want after full retirement age.”

Delaying your benefits can increase them

For a lot of older adults, getting your benefits the second you’re able to seems like a good idea. But according to Bhavin Swadas, a real estate and finance expert with Mine My Deal, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

“The later you wait to claim your benefits after the time at which you have a full retirement age (typically 66 or 67, depending on your year of birth), the larger your benefits will be at age 70. This can translate to thousands of dollars of annual income in your later years,” he says. “Delaying benefits may save a lot for the beneficiaries who have a longer lifespan or those who work past the age of retirement. The plan enables your advantages to multiply as you depend on other sources of income in the meantime.”

Social Security can be taxed

According to Swadas, one of the most typical surprises for retirees is knowing Social Security income could be taxed by the federal government.

“It is taxable based on your combined income, which will consist of half of your Social Security benefits and your other sources of income, such as wages, pensions, dividends and rental income,” he continued. “Households with incomes greater than $25,000 or couples with greater income than $32,000 annually are liable to taxation on benefits up to 85 percent.”

Swadas also notes, “Certain states completely tax Social Security income, and others do not. Knowing whether your state will tax you can help you “avoid unpleasant tax bills and make better decisions regarding relocating to retirement.”

Social Security isn’t just for retirees

social security card — Douglas Sacha/Getty

Finally, one of the most common myths about Social Security is that it’s just for retirees. Swadas says that’s not true, explaining that “it has disability and survivor benefits. Any worker who has ample work credits can access disability benefits in case they suffer an accident or disability before reaching retirement age. It is a safety net that would keep people and families afloat in the financial sector following preventable health complications.”

“Moreover, Social Security is used to offer benefits to spouses and children of deceased employees. Such survivor benefits prove to be essential to those families who experience an unexpected loss and help them with their basic living costs and relieve them of the financial burden in an already challenging period,” he continued.