Social Security is an earned benefit. You become eligible by paying the payroll tax during your working years, and the amount you get is geared to your wage history - with a glaring exception.

Social Security has a big birthday coming up next year -- it's turning 90! It's kept many millions of people out of poverty for decades and was recently supporting more than 71 million people with around $1.5 trillion in benefits for the year.

If you were planning to retire next year, double check your math because a law passed in the ’80s is annually raising the age when Americans can collect their full Social Security benefits. And next year is no exception.

The age at which full retirement benefits can be received rises next year, as experts warn those preparing to retire not to be caught out.