Introduction 1
Part 1: Getting Started with Social Security 5
Chapter 1: What Social Security Is and Why You Need It 7
Chapter 2: A Breakdown of Benefits 19
Chapter 3: Deciding When to Start Collecting Retirement Benefits 39
Chapter 4: Protecting Your Number and Securing Your Card 57
Part 2: Taking the Plunge: Filing for Social Security 73
Chapter 5: Signing Up for Benefits 75
Chapter 6: Determining How Much You've Earned 89
Chapter 7: Navigating the System 99
Chapter 8: When You and Social Security Disagree: The Appeals Process 123
Part 3: Who Benefits and When 141
Chapter 9: Spousal Benefits: Watching Out for Each Other 143
Chapter 10: Family Benefits: Who Gets What 157
Chapter 11: When You Can't Work: Social Security Disability Benefits 173
Part 4: Social Security and Your Future 197
Chapter 12: Enrolling in Medicare 199
Chapter 13: Working in "Retirement" 221
Chapter 14: Shaping a Financial Future You Can Live With 241
Part 5: The Part of Tens 253
Chapter 15: Ten Myths about Social Security 255
Chapter 16: Ten Reasons Young People Should Care about Social Security 265
Chapter 17: Ten Choices Facing the Country about the Future of Social Security 273
Part 6: Appendixes 281
Appendix A: Glossary 283
Appendix B: Resources 291
Appendix C: Strengthening Social Security 297
Index 301