Topics covered include: Review of Social Security rule changes resulting from the Bipartisan Budget Act, 11/2/15; History of Social Security and long-term solvency of trust fund Social Security terms and acronyms; How the Social Security benefit is calculated; An overview of life expectancy and statistics for men vs. women; The effects of electing to claim Social Security too early and a possible 'fix'; Spousal and survivor benefits, the rules and strategies you need to understand; Single, divorced, and widowed benefits; Computing the optimal benefit, a look at some case studies; Aligning your Social Security election decision with other retirement assets; Resources, software, further education. Upon completing the course, you should be able to: Recognize important Social Security program historical facts, changes to the program, and possible future adjustments for the trust fund to remain solvent; Identify the components of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, noting its late passage, phase out of claiming strategies, options, and age deadlines; Recognize the most commonly used Social Security terms and acronyms; Note the funding mechanisms of Social Security, including maximum taxable earnings amounts; Recognize the elements of calculating social security benefits, including how to calculate AIME and PIA; Note the age at which full retirement benefits can be collected, time windows to fix an incorrect income election, and the life expectancy of men, women, and couples; Identify the mechanics of the earnings test, noting exempt amounts and earnings in excess of the exempt amounts; Recognize the rules and requirements for spousal benefits, divorced couples, and survivors; Specify Social Security income amounts for clients electing to start at various ages, noting ways to optimize Social Security benefits through reduced benefits and delayed retirement; Recognize the importance of aligning the Social Security election decision with management and withdrawal of other retirement assets.