Key Points Budgeting gives you a handle on your money. Automating contributions keeps you on track. Investing strategically lets your portfolio do more of the hard work. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › The start of a new year is a good time to take stock of your financial goals and come up with a plan to meet them. And one of your goals may be to boost your retirement savings in 2026. It's a good goal to have. The average Social Security benefit for retired ...