It's frustrating, especially for those who aren't able to save as much as they'd like to for retirement on their own. However, while you cannot control what happens to Social Security in the future, there are three key steps you can take to ensure you get as much from the program as possible.

Social Security provides monthly payments to beneficiaries, providing a much needed buffer for everyday expenses that would normally be hard to attain. Millions of Americans rely on their Social Security checks but may be concerned to learn that these benefits aren't guaranteed -- and that you can lose your benefits in certain situations.

Getting a handle on the average Social Security check by age can help you fine-tune your retirement. Every month, 51.2 million retired workers receive monthly benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA),

One of the biggest factors determining your monthly Social Security benefit is when you decide to apply. You earn delayed retirement credits, resulting in a bigger monthly check, by waiting beyond full retirement age.