Personal Finance Daily: Make the most of your Social Security benefits

	Personal Finance Daily JULY 02, 2012 Monday's Personal Finance stories By MarketWatch Don't miss these top stories: Hidden fees of renting an apartment Couples can boost their Social Security checks Recession now much more likely Social Security may be a lot more valuable to you than you realize—particularly if you're married. Check out our story today about some strategies to help maximize your money, and potentially add tens of thousands of dollars to your retirement savings. Plus, don't miss Amy Hoak's Home Economics column for a look at some of the unexpected costs renters run into when they rent an apartment. And check out Rex Nutting's story today to find out why a recession in the U.S. looks likelier than ever. —Andrea Coombes , Personal Finance editor Hidden fees of renting an apartment The cost of renting an apartment has risen in recent years and as demand has risen for rentals, shopping for the perfect home has gotten more competitive in many markets. Hidden fees of renting an apartment. Couples can boost their Social Security checks You'd think claiming Social Security would be a simple retirement decision—you retire and you start your benefits. But there are certain complex strategies that can help pad a married couple's retirement savings with tens of thousands of dollars of additional income. Couples can boost their Social Security checks. AT&T subscribers win in cable battle The cable wars could serve someday as an excellent backdrop for a dramatic series, writes media columnist Jon Friedman AT&T subscribers win in cable battle. ECONOMY & POLITICS Recession now much more likely There's no way to sugarcoat it: The already-sluggish U.S. economy is stalling out, stung by doubts about our economic and fiscal future, writes Rex Nutting. Recession now much more likely. Manufacturing activity shrinks in June, ISM says Manufacturing activity shrunk in June for the first time in three years, according to a key report released Monday that points to a deteriorating U.S. economy. Manufacturing activity shrinks in June, ISM says. Construction outlays pick up in May Spending for U.S. construction projects rose a stronger-than-expected 0.9% in May. This was the biggest gain this year. Spending in April was also revised higher Construction outlays pick up in May. Hong Kong protests as new leader sworn in Tens of thousands of protesters take to the streets in Hong Kong on the 15th anniversary of the territory's handover to China, demanding that Leung Chun-ying—sworn in as the city's new chief executive Sunday by Chinese President Hu Jintao—step down. Hong Kong protests as new leader sworn in. Japan's tankan survey stronger than forecast The Bank of Japan's closely watched quarterly "tankan" business-sentiment survey comes in well above expectations. Japan's tankan survey stronger than forecast. Japan ruling party splits, as 52 lawmakers defect Japanese politician Ichiro Ozawa and 51 other lawmakers from the ruling Democratic Party of Japan tender their resignation in protest over the government's plan to double the consumption tax to 10% by 2015. Japan ruling party splits, as 52 lawmakers defect. Iran won't endure West's sanctions There was a time when potential disruptions in Iranian oil exports would rattle energy markets. Now, even as international sanctions against the regime tighten, the markets are almost apathetic. Amotz Asa-El argues that as the sanctions accelerate, an analysis indicates that the economic pressure is working and its social costs are likely to produce political change there. Iran won't endure West's sanctions. INVESTING Corporate bonds seen continuing strong run Corporate bonds remain the darling of fixed-income managers, and are seen continuing to do well in the rest of the year amid a challenging global economic environment. Corporate bonds seen continuing strong run. Let's put a smile on your Facebook The debacle surrounding Facebook's IPO is well-documented, but untold is the story since, that of a stock and company that, in our opinion, may be the sort of investment one looks back on with a grin. Let's put a smile on your Facebook. Independent thinkers are buying banks At some point in every trader's career he realizes that it's time to become proactive rather than simply react to the latest news headlines. Independent thinkers are buying banks. Shorter is better when it comes to bonds The top performing advisers are unwilling to go very far out the maturity spectrum in placing their bond fund exposure. Shorter is better when it comes to bonds. Emerging markets may be July's best play On July's stage, there are ways to benefit from what remains a difficult, but not an impossible market, writes Jim Lowell. Emerging markets may be July's best play. The time has come for natural gas If there ever was a market that could break investors' hearts it was natural gas. But something is different now and this ugly duck is finally ready to turn into a swan. The time has come for natural gas. Get the latest news on our mobile site: http://www.marketwatch.com/m MarketWatch has sent you this newsletter because you signed up to receive it. To ensure you receive this newsletter in the future, please add marketwatchmail.com to your list of approved senders. Sent to: kumaresan.selva.blogger@gmail.com Unsubscribe | Subscribe Copyright 2012 MarketWatch, Inc. All rights reserved. MarketWatch, the MarketWatch logo, and BigCharts are registered trademarks of MarketWatch, Inc. 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