Social Security is the foundation of retirement security for most people in the U.S. It is one of the very few sources of inflation protected income available to retirees. This article is intended to provide a general understanding of some common situations and help readers understand the financial issues facing Social Security.

In this article, we cover: 1) background information related to Social Security; 2) Social Security retirement benefit calculations; 3) early and late retirement benefits; 4) working after retirement; 5) family benefits; 6) disability benefits; 7) cost-of-living increases; and 8) Social Security's financial condition.

This issue includes the following news summaries:

• EBRI Publishes 2026 Retirement Confidence Survey Summary Report
• NASRA Updates Issue Brief on Investment Return Assumptions
• American Academy of Actuaries Reports on Social Security Reform
• NCPERS Releases 2026 Public Retirement Systems Study

In this issue:

• Artificial Intelligence in Governmental Plans
• Refresher on the Determination of Governmental Plan Status
• Updated IRS Safe Harbor Rollover Notices
• MHPAEA Report to Congress
• Proposed 2027 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters

This issue includes the following news summaries:

• NASRA Updates Issue Brief on State and Local Government Spending on Public Employee Retirement Systems
• National Organizations Update Report on State and Local Fiscal Facts for 2026
• CRR Studies the Effects of Policy Risks on Older American's Retirement Planning
• Moody's Reports that Pension Investment Volatility Remains a Credit Quality Risk for State and Local Governments
• NASRA Updates Infographic on State and Local Government Retirement Systems

This issue includes the following news summaries:

• IRS Postpones Implementation of RMD Rules
• CRS Updates Report on Health Savings Accounts
• NIRS Studies the Retirement Preparedness of Working-Age Americans
• CRR Analyzes the Impact of Health Spending on Retirees' Income