I just read Get What’s Yours: The Secrets to Maxing Out Your Social Security by Laurence J. Kotlikoff, Philip Moeller, and Paul Solman. It was an enjoyable experience.

Yes, I used the words “social security” and “enjoyable” in the same paragraph.

Imagine my surprise when I read this book that I thought would be important but dull and found it enjoyable. The authors not only convey the basic facts about social security and discuss how to maximize your benefits but do so in an entertaining fashion.

If you are unconvinced, go on Amazon and read a sample.

Go to the table of contents and find a chapter you think might be interesting or cover your situation and read a few pages. Then when you are convinced, order the book or go to your local book seller and buy it.

Social Security is a rather dry subject with thousands of rules and explanations of these rules. Very few of us want to read them. Fewer can understand them and how they apply to our own situations..

The book starts with Larry and Paul playing tennis. During a break, the conversation turns to Social Security. I suppose that is not so uncommon in people in the RetiredGuy’s age group. But what is uncommon was that Larry is Laurence J. Kotlikoff, an economics professor and social security expert, and Paul is Paul Solman, a business and economics journalist.

Larry was talking about the complexity of Social Security and Paul thought he had the best strategy figured out for he and his wife. It was simple and sounded good. Then Larry asked about their current ages. And then went on to explain how they could bring in almost $50,000 more.

Now if a guy whose job involves looking into finance and business believes his sub-optimal strategy is the best one, what chance do people with ordinary jobs and interests have in dealing with the complex system ?

The good news for us ordinary folks is that these two teamed up with another financial journalist (Phil Moeller, a Medicare expert) to write a book explaining Social Security in plain English. I’ve already said it is entertaining because of their writing style. A complex system made understandable in an enjoyable book – a neat trick if you can pull it off and they do!

They explain the rules and how they apply to a variety of situations. Maybe you’ll be able to get thousands of dollars more than you thought. Maybe you’ll read something here that will stop you from losing big bucks. Either way, it is worth your time to read this book.

Read this book. Social Security is a major asset for most of us. Get the most out of it. Maximize your benefits. Although something may seem the best, it may not be due to the complexity of the system. So this is one book you should read. You owe it to yourself (and your family).