Just 28 percent of Americans received a passing grade (60 percent or higher) when asked basic Social Security questions, a new study from MassMutual finds. Moreover, from a pool of 1,500 respondents ages 18­ to 65, just one person answered all 10 true/false questions correctly.

The quiz touched on a range of topics, including the national retirement age, spousal benefits, and eligibility for benefits. The high failure rate suggests what a number of advisors already know: Too many Americans are lacking the knowledge and tools that will allow their retirement reality to match their retirement dreams.

"Perhaps the greatest Social Security deficit in this country is the lack of education around the retirement benefits of the program, which presents an opportunity and responsibility to financial professionals," said Michael R. Fanning, executive vice president, U.S. Insurance Group, MassMutual. "With millions of Americans nearing retirement each year, many may be at risk of underutilizing a critical component of their retirement income stream."  

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Nichole Morford

As ALM's Digital Editor-in-Chief, Nichole Morford is responsible for the development of digital strategies to maximize web traffic, deepen audience engagement and effectively monetize digital products. Previously, as Editorial Lead, Digital Content Strategy for ALM's Insurance Group, Morford directed the digital strategy and growth of the division’s web products. Prior to joining ALM through the acquisition of Summit Professional Networks, Morford was managing editor of LifeHealthPro.com and managing editor of Agent's Sales Journal magazine. She started her career as an editor at Penguin Group.