12 FAQs on Social Security benefits

Dr. Don Taylor, Ph.D., CFA, CFP, has been advising Bankrate readers for 13 years. A topic that frequently comes up is Social Security. People want to know the best strategy for claiming Social Security benefits, or they just want to know how it works.

The answers to their questions always depend on their particular situations. And because Social Security is laden with rules and regulations, it's not always easy to find an answer on the government site, even though it strives to be clear and comprehensive.

For this special feature on Social Security, Bankrate presents the best of Dr. Don's Social Security advice, offered to people from around the country over the past year.

Questions include those from individuals wanting to retire early, couples trying to determine the best strategy and widows wanting to know their options.

Even if you read all of these questions and answers, you won't become an expert. But you will gain an appreciation for the complexity of the Social Security system -- and perhaps some insight on how to proceed with your own retirement plans.