6 tips for making most of Social Security

Who would have thought that it was going to be Social Security instead of the commune or the millions we made in real estate supporting us Baby Boomers in our old age?

What a bore.

Gallup researchers released a poll last week showing that even though confidence in government is at a low ebb, an increasing number of people nearing retirementplan to rely primarily on Social Security in their old age. About 34% of soon-to-be retirees think Social Security will be their major source of support, up from 25% in 2004.

Some naysayers swear the system will collapse soon under its own weight, but don't forget, there are 77 million Baby Boomers getting old in a crowd – a political heatwave that even the most determined reformers of the program will have trouble shoving aside for years to come.