To see all of your Social Security benefits, you need to sign up for a My Social Security account. Note that if you've already signed up for a login.gov or ID.me account, you can skip the following steps and just sign into your account. If you've never signed up for either of these services before, here's what you need to do.

Social Security is a cornerstone of retirement income for many Americans, yet the amount you receive isn't set in stone. Understanding how to optimize your benefits can significantly impact your financial future.

Wall St. A larger Social Security benefit takes the pressure off your savings. Think about your desired retirement lifestyle and plan for one-off expenses. Use a time-tested withdrawal rate to figure out what nest egg to aim for.