3 Ways to Score a Higher Social Security Paycheck

You may or may not realize it, but Social Security is likely to be a major support for you in retirement. According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), Social Security benefits make up about a third of elderly Americans' income on average. More specifically, about half of married elderly beneficiaries get 50% or more of their income from the program, while 70% of unmarried ones do. A meaningful number get 90% or more of their income from Social Security.

Even if Social Security, which recently paid average annual retirement benefits of roughly $18,600, only makes up 20% or 25% of your income, it will still play a significant part in your future financial security. So it's worth making those monthly benefits as fat as they can be.

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Source Fool.com