Social Security Cheat Sheet: How Your Benefits Work

If you receive Social Security benefits, you've likely had many questions over the years about how it all works. The Social Security Administration handles a slew of payments each month, including for Social Security beneficiaries, Social Security Disability Insurance recipients and for people who receive Supplemental Security Income. And if you receive more than one of these payments, it can get even trickier.

To guide you through some of the ins and outs of Social Security -- from what you need to know before you retire to when your money will arrive -- CNET has compiled a cheat sheet so you can stay on top of the latest details.

Whether you're a new Social Security beneficiary or you've been receiving it for decades, knowing when your check will arrive each month is a must. Your payment date depends on your birthday and when you started receiving benefits. Each month, these stories are updated to reflect the exact dates for when the Social Security Administration will disburse your payment.

Find out how much money you'll get next year.

There are several different types of benefits you can receive from the Social Security Administration and other federal programs. Here's what they are and how to apply.

Preparing for Social Security is important, regardless of how close you are to retirement. But it's never too early to learn about how your benefits will work once you're ready to begin collecting them. 

Aside from Social Security benefits, knowing important information about your Social Security number and card can help prevent future mishaps. For instance, if you need a replacement Social Security card or need to know who it's OK to share your SSN with, we can help.

Medicare insurance in the US is for those age 65 or older, or certain people with disabilities. The program is designed to help with the cost of health care and prescription drugs. Whether you receive it now or plan to in the future, it's good to brush up on how it works.

For additional health insurance information, here's what to know about Affordable Care Act health plans and how to save on health care if you don't have insurance.

Jenna Ortega Recalls ‘Terrifying’ Time Having to Act Like She Was On Ecstasy

Jenna Ortega’s done a lot in her time as an actor. She’s flexed her acting muscles in all kinds of scenes. Take the intense game of capture the flag in Yes Day. Or evading a killer in Scream VI. However, the Wednesday star’s revealed she had a particularly “terrifying” time acting like she was on ecstasy.

Ortega had questions about her role in 2022’s The Fallout long before cameras were rolling. Speaking to The Wall Street Journal, the 20-year-old revealed one thought ran through her mind before playing Vada Cavell, a teen navigating the aftermath of a high school shooting. 

“Before the project started, I remember thinking: How do you be high on ecstasy?’” Ortega told the outlet in June 2023. 

The actor, who spent months preparing for the scene, explained she’d, up until that point, kept preparation for roles rather relaxed. Why? Because, as Ortega said, real life is spontaneous. 

“You never know what you’re going to say next or what your next facial expression is going to be,” she said. “So I try not to do that for characters.”

Ortega continued, explaining preparing for The Fallout and the ecstasy scene, in particular, proved to be a learning experience.

Noting she recorded herself “doing crazy things” in her bedroom to prepare, the Disney Channel alum said a curveball on the day of filming — being asked by director Megan Park to walk down a staircase — made her realize not preparing as much, or as intensely, works better for her personally.

“I realized I will never prepare [like that] again,” she said. “Because the stress when I saw those stairs and not having anything that was usable was terrifying.”

After her “terrifying” experience filming The Fallout, the actor is hitting the water. Well, sort of. She’s starring in Finestkind, a thriller from writer-director Brian Helgeland, about fishermen who become entangled with organized crime. 

Set to premiere at the Toronto Film Festival in September 2023, Finestkind has Ortega playing Mabel, a young woman “caught in the middle” of estranged brothers and their plan to get out of debt (via TIFF). Mabel, who is “trying to make her own future,” starts dating Toby Wallace’s character Charlie. The cast also includes Tommy Lee Jones, Ben Foster, and Tim Daly among others. 

Finestkind, which is expected to hit Paramount+ later in 2023, doesn’t have an official trailer yet. However, there has been a glimpse of Ortega and her fellow cast members in a photo. 

The image, posted to Twitter by TIFF, shows Ortega, Jones, Foster, and Wallace in character on what appears to be a run-down fishing boat. They’re described in the caption as a “team who tread dangerous waters after their debts start piling up, in this new crime drama.” 

The Fallout is available to stream on Max.  

Fantasy Football cheat sheets: PPR, non-PPR, depth charts

If you're seeking a one-stop shop for updated 2023 fantasy football rankings, depth charts and cheat sheets throughout the summer, you've come to the right place. Below, you will find them for PPR (point per reception) and non-PPR formats, as well as dynasty leagues.

Take your shot at picking win totals for all 32 teams for a chance to win up to $10,000!Make Your Picks

One sheet with players broken down by position, including overall rank, salary-cap value and bye weeks for leagues that award one point for each catch. We recommend this sheet for those using half-PPR, as the rankings are extremely similar. Download »

This sheet features 300 players in order of overall draft value, with positional rank, salary-cap value and bye-week information for leagues that reward each catch with a point. We recommend this sheet for those using half-PPR, as the rankings are extremely similar. Download »

The beginner's cheat sheet is streamlined to the 160 players you need to know for your 10-team PPR draft, organized by round and a write-in area to keep track of your team. Perfect for the first-time drafters and minimalists alike. Download »

This sheet features our rankings when drafting for a league featuring the offensive player (OP) slot, also known as superflex and available as a custom option in League Manager. The OP position can be filled by any QB-, RB-, WR- or TE-eligible player, which greatly enhances the value of quarterbacks in the rankings. Download »

Eric Karabell's Do Not Draft list, RB and WR tiers, Eric Moody's QB and TE tiers, and Mike Clay's Ultimate Draft Board in one printable cheat sheet to bring with you to your fantasy football drafts. Download »

The offseason is heating up and it's the perfect time to kick off your fantasy season. Create a league and customize league size, scoring and rules to play in the league you want to play in.

Create a league today!

For leagues using the scoring format that doesn't award an extra point for each reception. One sheet with players broken down by position, including overall rank, salary-cap value and bye weeks. Download »

This sheet features 300 players in order of overall draft value, with positional rank, salary-cap value and bye-week information. Download »

If you want the full breakdown for all 32 teams, you've come to the right place. Download »

Mike Clay's projections and outlooks for hundreds of players for the 2023 fantasy football season.

2023 projections & outlooks

Fantasy depth charts for each NFL team: top two quarterbacks, three running backs, four wide receivers, two tight ends and a kicker. Prioritized by fantasy value in PPR leagues rather than role-defined on a traditional NFL depth chart, this includes players' overall ranks. Download »

Features the top 240 players and 60 best rookies to make all of your keeper and dynasty league decisions. Includes the players' draft years/rounds and ages at the start of the 2022 season. Download »

* All cheat sheets are in PDF format. Your device must be equipped with a PDF reader for you to access and print the cheat sheet.