"For most Americans, Social Security is their largest financial asset, worth hundreds of thousands of dollars and indexed against increases in the cost of living. It is also an incredibly complicated program, with 2,728 core rules and thousands of codicils. As a result, Americans lose billions of dollars a year in unclaimed benefits. This money that we have earned and are entitled to, that is lost forever. If you are thinking about retirement,...

"How Social Security has shaped American politics--and why it faces insolvency. Since its establishment, Social Security has become the financial linchpin of American retirement. Yet demographic trends--longer lifespans and declining birthrates--mean that this popular program now pays more in benefits than it collects in revenue. Without reforms, 83 million Americans will face an immediate benefit cut of 20 percent in 2034. How did we get here and...