If it weren't for Social Security, millions of older Americans would no doubt struggle to keep up with their ongoing expenses. That's what makes Social Security's cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) so important.

The House is expected to try to pass a Social Security-related bill this week to ensure benefits for workers who are also eligible for other pensions, despite a surprise move by hard-right Freedom Caucus leaders to derail the effort.

Now, with the year winding down, all Social Security retirees should mark Nov. 20 as another date to remember. Here's why.

Although Social Security's annual adjustment is mathematically fair, the procedure still arguably leaves retirees at a disadvantage. That is, by the time recipients begin receiving their bigger payments, they've been paying higher prices for everything for up to as much as a year.

Regarding Social Security, there's a little-known rule that can greatly impact your monthly benefits: your payments are calculated based on your 35 highest-earning years. If you haven't worked a full 35 years,