Retired in America

Your Guide to a Confident Retirement

  • Home
  • Personal finance
  • Retirement Life
  • Saving & Spending

7 Important Changes to Social Security in 2022

October 22, 2021 · Personal finance
Photo by Dmytro Zinkevych from Shutterstock

The $17,166 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook

If you’re anything like other Americans, you’re a few years (or maybe more) behind on your retirement savings. Luckily, a handful of little-known “Social Security secrets” may boost your retirement income a bit.

As an example, one easy trick could save you as much as $17,166 more…EVERY YEAR! Once you learn how you can maximize your Social Security benefits, you could easily retire with confidence and peace of mind that everything’s going to be fine in matters of retirement finances.

What do you think about these Social Security changes? How do they affect YOU?  Let us know in the comments section!

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Share this article

Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email

27 responses to “7 Important Changes to Social Security in 2022”

  1. Margaret A. Riggio says:
    November 29, 2021 at 7:03 pm

    I have been living below the poverty line for several years – receiving enough money to pay a reduced rent, a phone bill, and Con Edison leaving just enough for basic household needs. No movies, dinners out, no memberships in organizations I used to belong to – just a stay-at-home existance with food stamps to get me through the dail challenges. Any increase in Social Security payments would be a most welcome addition to my life.

    Reply
    • Andre says:
      January 2, 2022 at 7:59 pm

      The Social Security Administration has announced a 5.9 % increase of the amount of retirement benefits for 2022. You should see this increase in your SS check or payment in January .

      Reply
  2. Margaret A. Riggio says:
    November 29, 2021 at 7:19 pm

    I have been living below the poverty line for several years. My monthly social security covers a reduced rent (SCRIE), a phone bill, Con Edison, and cable with little left over for basic household necessities – no movies, dinners out, entertaining, membership in organizations I used to be a member of, etc. I receive food stamps which is most necessary. But I have many medical expenses which I am approaching very slowly but steadily depending on what surprise expenses might appear each month. Any increase in my monthly Social Security check would be a most welcome addition to my life.

    Reply
  3. Wan says:
    November 29, 2021 at 7:31 pm

    My husband is 63, I am 79 and started SS ASAP (in my 60’s). Can I draw on my husbands SS? When and how much? I get the minimum now. Thank you.

    Reply
  4. Ola says:
    November 29, 2021 at 7:41 pm

    I truly appreciate the added income but it will only benefit the insurance companies. Every time I get an increase in my monthly payment it is eaten up by the Medicare insurance. I have worked since the age of 16 and I am 80 now and still paying Medicare. Yes I am good with the changes.

    Reply
    • Curtis a getz says:
      January 31, 2022 at 10:35 am

      Hello Ola
      My wife collects on my S.S.
      SHE RECEIVES ABOUT half of mine.
      Alittle under half 820$$
      This really helps the raise we got is eaten up by all the high prices.
      I am 70, wife is 63 👍Goodluck

      Reply
  5. James R Lykins says:
    November 30, 2021 at 6:00 am

    ok how does a person max their benefits?

    Reply
    • Andre says:
      January 2, 2022 at 8:01 pm

      Delay claiming your benefits until the age of 70.

      Reply
  6. Roger Sheets says:
    November 30, 2021 at 2:39 pm

    We need more drastic changes…..higher deductions for higher earners, change FRA to 70 from 67, in order to save Social Security from going broke. It is pathetic that Congress is afraid to move on these important changes. By not doing anything they are willing to take everyone down.

    Reply
  7. Virginia Lund says:
    December 2, 2021 at 2:05 am

    What is the easy trick than could save you as much as $17,166 more…EVERY YEAR?

    Reply
    • bruce michael guzzi says:
      December 13, 2021 at 2:34 pm

      delay claiming till 70

      Reply
      • Pepples says:
        January 31, 2022 at 9:20 am

        So I’m guessing you are still working then to right. People don’t want to work their whole life. Besides to me that would hurt companies cause people would be less productive as they get older.

        Reply
  8. Ellen Wilson says:
    December 15, 2021 at 11:28 pm

    Am I missing it, or has nothing been published about the cost of Medicare going up? I recently received my new statement of benefits for 2022. Medicare went from $148 to $167!! So my so-called raise of 5.9% was totally erased. I am getting the very same each month as I did in 2021. What gives!?!

    Reply
  9. CHERYL KAY MARTIN says:
    January 3, 2022 at 1:15 am

    I AM WONDERING WHAT HAPPEN TO MY SOCIAL SECURITY YEARLY STATEMENT ? ARE THEY STILL BEHIND ? HOW DO YOU FILE FOR SOCIAL SEC FROM YOUR EX – HUSBAND ?

    Reply
  10. Charley L Harris says:
    January 3, 2022 at 3:11 pm

    I am disabled does this applies to me

    Reply
  11. Ralph J Concialdi says:
    January 4, 2022 at 4:00 pm

    B.S. on your increase, it’s nice to have but dental and vision coverage would help us more than this measly raise. Our congressmen get their benefits for free at a gold standard. Seems like some of them don’t like this government and would rather tear down this social net for US. EVERY raise you gave me in SS you took back with increases in my health coverage and prescription coverage, they seem to agree on doing that with my raise and RTA increases. They should pay their own way and get off our backs.

    Reply
  12. Walter Lane says:
    January 5, 2022 at 4:30 am

    Walter Lane How can I take advantage of $17166 and maximize benefits.

    Reply
    • Barbara says:
      April 5, 2022 at 12:47 am

      What is the easy trick than could save me as much as $17,166 more…EVERY YEAR?

      Reply
  13. Virginia says:
    January 24, 2022 at 7:57 pm

    You state this “The $17,166 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook” but there is no link to how or the other handful of other savings

    Reply
  14. Dot says:
    January 30, 2022 at 4:48 pm

    Thx for the COL raise but what a shame we had to get it this way wouldn’t it be better for all citizens if the inflation didn’t happen and the younger people that didn’t get raises or who are working still have to pay the higher prices for everything .. Why can’t our government work on the inflation problem so we all could benefit not just we seniors who get the cost of living increase .. my adult children and their families need help too with our outlandish prices in this country now .. as their pay checks didn’t increase …

    Reply
  15. Estelle says:
    February 28, 2022 at 4:39 pm

    Great but how do you find out about the bonus you completely overlook??

    Reply
  16. William Robertson says:
    February 28, 2022 at 5:18 pm

    I would like to know the Social Security secrets, please respond.

    Reply
  17. Jennifer says:
    February 28, 2022 at 5:48 pm

    The increase is not what the government makes it out to be because what is deducted for Medicare went up. Retirees are not seeing a 5.9% net increase to monthly benefits that can be used for the ever increasing cost of living and the extreme inflation that Americans are experiencing. I am 70 years old and have worked since I was 14 years old. I have paid in much, much more social security and Medicare than I will ever get back. I think that what a worker pays into social security over a person’s work life should be what the person gets back dollar for dollar. Instead, the government gives it to foreign countries that hate and kill Americans while American retirees scrape to get by!.

    Reply
  18. Jim Pulliam says:
    March 27, 2022 at 7:07 pm

    When I and my wife retired, we both did two things:
    1. We both waited for the max age 70 1/2 to retire with the max SS benefits.
    2. We filled out the on-line forms for SS and asked for a meeting at the SS office. We both went to the SS office, had everything checked and asked the SS officer if there were any special deals for new retirees.
    She said yes there was a special deal. The deal I got, if I would take $80 less in monthly payment the SS office would put $12K in my bank account. I accepted the deal, and that money was instantly put in my bank account. The wife accepted $60 less and got $10K in her account.

    Reply
  19. Barbara says:
    March 27, 2022 at 9:08 pm

    How can a retiree obtain the $17,166 Social Security bonus mentioned in this article?

    Reply
  20. Patti Gaboury says:
    March 29, 2022 at 9:36 am

    I barely make it month to month, just covering the essentials every month to have heat, garbage, phone,water and TV. I don’t eat out, no social activities, no weekend drives to see the mountains and etc. Widowed and by my self, not much of a life, don’t really call it much of a quality of life. I worked since I was 16 and finally had to stop working at 72 due to health issues, Any extra added to SS is more then needed and Welcomed, Inflation is so high gas, food etc.

    Reply
  21. gia says:
    March 29, 2022 at 12:43 pm

    so what they raised medicare so they took most of the SS raise…

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search

Latest Posts

  • Illustration of a mountain valley town with houses, a clock tower, a wooden directional sign, and lupines at sunrise. 15 Scenic and Affordable Mountain Towns to Retire In
  • An older man with drafting tools overlooks a landscape labeled with ages 60, 70, and 80 along mountain ridges. 401(k) Mistakes Retirees in Their 80s Wish They'd Avoided
  • An older couple sits on the tailgate of a pickup truck holding mugs and overlooking a small valley town at sunset. 8 States Where $250,000 Is Enough for a Comfortable Retirement
  • A smiling senior man in a life jacket paddles a green kayak across a misty lake at sunrise near a wooden dock. 15 Affordable Retirement Towns Near Lakes and Rivers
  • A smiling older man walks a brown Labrador and a black-and-white border collie along a paved park path. 10 Side Gigs for Retirees Who Love Animals
  • Older adults smiling and passing food at an outdoor community dinner in front of a brick town hall at sunset. 11 Affordable Retirement Towns With Active Social Calendars
  • Illustration of an older couple walking past kiosks for pharmacy care, public transit, and residential property savings. 11 Senior Discount Programs Launching or Expanding in 2027
  • Illustration of an open hand catching a gold coin beside a bank vault blueprint against a split city and night sky. 11 Windfalls Retirees Can Receive and How They Are Taxed
  • A senior Asian male baker in a flour-dusted apron arranges fresh sourdough loaves on a bakery counter. The 2027 Social Security Update That Benefits Some Working Retirees
  • A plant grows out of an open government envelope toward a sun reading Saver's Match $1,000 in a landscape. IRS Notices Are Going Out About a $1,000 Retirement Match – Are You Eligible?

Newsletter

Get retirement planning tips, savings strategies, and lifestyle insights delivered to your inbox.

Related Articles

An editorial ink and watercolor illustration of an older adult standing before a giant calendar marked 65, symbolizing Medicare timing.

The Medicare Enrollment Mistake That Triggers a Lifetime Penalty

Learn how avoiding key Medicare enrollment mistakes protects you from a lifetime surcharge on Part…

Read More →
An older couple plans their retirement at a sunny wooden table with maps.

10 Ways Retirees Supplement Their Pension Income

Discover ten actionable, practical strategies to supplement your pension income, from optimizing Social Security benefits…

Read More →
An older woman practices balance therapy with a physical therapist in a bright, sunlit rehabilitation room.

8 Medicare Rules for Skilled Nursing Facility Stays

Learn the 8 essential Medicare rules for skilled nursing facility stays, including the 3-day rule,…

Read More →
A senior woman smiling while using a tablet in a bright, modern living room.

14 Smart Home Ideas for Independent Seniors

Discover 14 practical smart home ideas and aging in place technology to help independent seniors…

Read More →
An older woman smiling and laughing while talking on her phone at a sunlit kitchen table with a mug of tea.

Telephone Reassurance Programs: Getting Paid to Chat With Seniors

Discover how telephone reassurance programs offer flexible remote jobs by paying you to chat, verify…

Read More →
Illustration of scales of justice balancing campaign pledges on a podium against statutory law books in a rotunda.

8 Trump Statements About Social Security Retirees Keep Asking About

Fact-check 8 key Trump statements on Social Security, from benefit taxes and retirement age to…

Read More →
Older man in a green jacket reading a pamphlet beside a wooden arrow sign pointing toward voter information.

The Issues Voters Say Matter Most Heading Into November

Explore the key voter issues heading into November 2026, including Social Security solvency, Medicare drug…

Read More →

12 Creative Ways To Earn Passive Income in Retirement

Rent your outdoor adventure vehicles – If you’re the proud owner of an RV, camper van,…

Read More →
A senior woman sits at a wooden dining table reviewing a monthly checking statement alongside a notebook and coffee mug.

5 States With Extra Payments on Top of Federal Benefits

Discover 5 states offering extra monthly payments on top of federal benefits for seniors, including…

Read More →
Retired in America

Your Guide to a Confident Retirement

Inedit Agency S.R.L.
Bucharest, Romania

contact@retiredinamerica.com

Trust & Legal

About Us

Editorial Policy

Advertiser Disclosure

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Us

Disclaimer

Terms and Conditions

Privacy Policy

Subscribe

Unsubscribe

Categories

  • Personal finance
  • Retirement Life
  • Saving & Spending

© 2026 Retired in America. All rights reserved.