Marriage, Divorce, and Do-Overs.

• Position: SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS

In a world of IRAs, bonds, annuities, and investment property, one retirement benefit often gets overlooked, or not discussed at all, by some financial advisors: Social Security.

"In retirement, you need to create as much fixed, guaranteed income as you can," says Tony Perrone, president and founder of the Estate Planning Group, Lincoln, Neb., and author of / Didn't Know I Could Do That: 9 Financial Strategies That Can Save or Make You Money. "Social Security is just as valuable as any of your other assets."

Americans can draw their Social Security as early as 62, for reduced benefits, or as late as 70, for enhanced benefits.

"None of us has crystal balls, but if you think there's a good chance you might live longer than average, or if you're just an optimist, you might want to think about going for the maximum monthly payment."

Perrone provides some additional tips and strategies for getting the most out of your Social Security benefits:

Do not forget the widow's benefit. If you are a widowed woman and do not get remarried, you can file for Social Security at the age of 60. This is known as the widow's benefit. The rule applies to men as well. If your wife earned more than you, you are entitled to widower's benefits. When a widow or widower, or a surviving...