Download transcript(PDF, 263 KB)

Although you can’t control how your Social Security benefits are calculated, it’s important to understand what to expect from the program and how it fits into your overall financial picture.

Key Takeaways:

  • One of Social Security’s main objectives is to provide retirement support for Americans who pay into the system during their working years.
  • The amount of your benefits may be affected by a range of factors, including your level of earnings and marital status.
  • One key decision to make is when to start receiving benefits, as the amount you receive increases from age 62 to 70.
  • Social Security is intended to be one piece of your retirement planning puzzle but not the whole picture.

This content has been provided under arrangement with Napkin Finance®. It may have been modified to meet the specific needs of UBS. Napkin Finance® is not responsible for any errors in the content, or any actions taken in reliance on it. Please do not copy or excerpt this content without express permission from UBS. UBS and Napkin Finance® are not affiliated.

UBS Financial Services Inc., its affiliates and its employees are not in the business of providing tax or legal advice. Clients should seek advice based on their particular circumstances from an independent tax or legal advisor. 

This is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be relied upon as investment advice or the basis for making any investment decisions. It has not been prepared with regard to the specific objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any specific person. No representation or warranty, either express or implied, is provided in relation to the accuracy, completeness or reliability of the information contained herein. Any opinions expressed are subject to change without notice and may differ or be contrary to opinions expressed by other business areas or groups of UBS.

As a firm providing wealth management services to clients, UBS Financial Services Inc. offers investment advisory services in its capacity as an SEC-registered investment adviser and brokerage services in its capacity as an SEC-registered broker-dealer. Investment advisory services and brokerage services are separate and distinct, differ in material ways and are governed by different laws and separate arrangements. It is important that clients understand the ways in which we conduct business, that they carefully read the agreements and disclosures that we provide to them about the products or services we offer. A small number of our financial advisors are not permitted to offer advisory services to you, and can only work with you directly as UBS broker-dealer representatives. Your financial advisor will let you know if this is the case and, if you desire advisory services, will be happy to refer you to another financial advisor who can help you. Our agreements and disclosures will inform you about whether we and our financial advisors are acting in our capacity as an investment adviser or broker-dealer. For more information, please review the PDF document at ubs.com/relationshipsummary(PDF, 143 KB).

© UBS 2025. The key symbol and UBS are among the registered and unregistered trademarks of UBS. All rights reserved. UBS Financial Services Inc. is a subsidiary of UBS Group AG. Member FINRA. Member SIPC.