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Social Security

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Social Security Opera

Put away the tux and the long black gloves---you won't need them to visit our opera. Sit back and enjoy The Social Security Opera, a light-hearted, creative look at how preparing to file for Social Security Retirement Benefits is not as daunting as you may think.

Editor's Column

Hello and welcome to the SecurePath by Transamerica Retirement Column. My name is Kathy Hanson, and I will be your Host Columnist, Editor, and resident resource in the months to come. Along with other guest contributors, I'll be bringing you timely and useful information on a range of topics related to planning for and enjoying retirement. Read the full editor's column.

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Social Security and Retirement

Social Security and Your Retirement

Social Security has been a part of the American scene since 1935, and -- despite any rumors to the contrary -- will continue to play an integral part of retirement planning for the foreseeable future. In fact, for people with average earnings at normal retirement age, it could replace as much as 55% of after-tax earned income. That's why it's critical to understand some of this program's basic principles and rules, and how to make the most of the choices and options you'll be offered.

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Ten Questions You Should Ask

Getting straight to the crux

As anyone who's visited the Social Security Administration website can tell you, there are hundreds of questions you might ask about Social Security. But the first question you should ask is, "What do I really need to know?" Here's our list of the ten most important questions, together with brief, "to-the-point" answers. And it's written in plain English, so you can understand the issues quickly. You'll also find links to useful tools and resources.

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Test Your Social Security Savvy

Social Security could play a significant role in your retirement, but how much do you really know about this program's in's and out's? Here's a fun way to find out. Take our interactive quiz and see.

Guides and Tips

Social Security Calculator
Use this calculator to help you estimate your Social Security benefits. Remember, this is only an estimate. Your actual benefits may vary depending on your actual work history and income.
How to File: Do's and Don'ts
Here's an insider's guide to what you should -- and shouldn't -- do, whether you're filing online, in person, or over the phone.
Full Retirement Age
How does your age at retirement affect the amount of your social security income? Find out with this helpful guide.
Documents You Need When You Retire
This helpful checklist will let you prepare everything you need for the date of your retirement. Make sure you have the documents you need now.
Making Sense of Your Statement
Learn the anatomy of your social security statement and what all of the information there really means for you.