Social Security: By the Numbers Here are five facts about Social Security that might surprise you. Related Content Retirement Realities Many pre-retirees can become focused on the “ideal” retirement, but turning that dream into a reality can be tricky. Risk Perspective Is it possible to avoid loss? Not entirely, but you can attempt to manage risk. Self-Employed Retirement Plans Estimate the maximum contribution amount for a Self-Employed 401(k), SIMPLE IRA, or SEP.