Regardless of whether you're already receiving a Social Security check or expecting to retire in two decades, Social Security income will likely play an important role in your ability to meet your monthly expenses during your golden years.

Gallup's 2015 national poll showed that 59% of retired seniors who are already receiving Social Security benefits rely on those benefits as their primary source of income. Meanwhile, an Insured Retirement Institute study on baby boomers who have not yet retired showed that 59% of boomers plan to rely on Social Security as their major income source during retirement.