Millions of retirees rely on Social Security to get by during retirement. It's a helpful boost, but Social Security was never meant to be your one-stop shop for income. It was designed to be part of a "three-legged stool" alongside pensions and personal savings.

But times have changed. Pensions are disappearing, and savings often fall short. In fact, 28% of retirees rely solely on Social Security, according to a Motley Fool survey.

The idea of depending entirely on Social Security doesn't sit well with me. That's why I'm taking control now by building retirement accounts and creating passive-income streams. By doing that, I'll have plenty of options for how I want to spend those Social Security checks when the time comes.

My Social Security game plan

It's tough to predict exactly how much I'll collect in Social Security by the time I retire. A lot depends on factors like when I decide to claim benefits and what my highest 35 years of earnings look like. Since I'm still decades away from full retirement age and haven't hit my peak earning years yet, my future Social Security benefit amount is far from set in stone.

That said, I'm not flying blind. I like to keep tabs on my estimated benefits by checking my Social Security statement every year. If you haven't already, you can create an account at www.ssa.gov to view your personalized statement. Just remember, these numbers are based on the system as it works today. It could look completely different 20 to 30 years down the road.

That's why I'm not counting on Social Security to carry the weight of my retirement. With news that Social Security's trust funds could be depleted by 2035 and potential benefit cuts on the horizon, I'm focused on building my own financial safety net.

My goal is to use Social Security as the fun money for hobbies, family experiences, or giving back. But if it makes sense, I wouldn't mind using it to pay some bills and let my other money keep growing in investments. Either way, I plan to have options and won't be forced to use Social Security to keep the lights on.

Social Security will be the cherry on top

To be clear, I'm not dismissing Social Security. Sure, the program is facing financial challenges, and lower benefits for retirees could be a possibility. But I save and invest as if Social Security won't be there because I'd rather have extra money than scramble for it in retirement.

For me, Social Security is like a sweet bonus at the end of the rainbow. I'm putting in the work now to enjoy a meaningful life today and set myself up for a comfortable retirement -- even when I'm no longer working as much. With thoughtful planning, Social Security will simply be sprinkles on top of a tasty retirement sundae.

Over the course of a four-decade career (with a few sabbaticals along the way), I'm taking intentional steps to ensure my retirement plan meets my needs. Here's what's on my checklist:

• Max out individual retirement accounts like Roth and traditional IRAs.
• Take advantage of employer-sponsored retirement plans available during my career.
• Contribute to SEP IRAs when self-employed.
• Build a strong dividend portfolio to generate income during sabbaticals.
• Develop passive-income streams for long-term financial stability.
• Keep learning and building profitable skills to stay adaptable.
• Prioritize my health to reduce potential medical costs in retirement.

Bottom line: I'm padding my retirement account now so I'll have options later. I want the freedom to use my Social Security checks however I please -- whether that's signing up for dance classes, supporting causes I care about, enjoying quality time with family, or even covering a few bills while letting my investments grow. The key is having a clear vision for my retirement and multiple income streams to make that vision a reality.

The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

The Motley Fool is a USA TODAY content partner offering financial news, analysis and commentary designed to help people take control of their financial lives. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.

The $22,924 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook

Offer from the Motley Fool: If you're like most Americans, you're a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known "Social Security secrets" could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. For example: one easy trick could pay you as much as $22,924 more... each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we're all after. Simply click here to discover how to learn more about these strategies.

View the "Social Security secrets" »