About the Retirement Estimator

How the Retirement Estimator Works

The Retirement Estimator produces estimates that are based on your actual Social Security earnings record. Retirement estimates are just that, estimates. They will vary slightly from the actual benefit you may receive in the future because:

Your Social Security earnings record is constantly being updated;
Our calculators use different parameters and assumptions (e.g., different stop work ages, future earnings projections, etc.); and
Your actual future benefit will be adjusted for inflation.

Note: The "Bookmark" icon above links to a 3rd party service that is not affiliated with the Social Security Administration. [disclaimer]

Who Can Use the Retirement Estimator

You can use the Retirement Estimator if:

You have enough Social Security credits at this time to qualify for benefits and
You are not:
- Currently receiving benefits on your own Social Security record;
- Age 62 or older and receiving benefits on another Social Security record; or
- Eligible for a Pension Based on Work Not Covered By Social Security.

If you are currently receiving only Medicare benefits, you can still get an estimate and "Retirement Information For Medicare Beneficiaries."

Caution: You cannot use the Retirement Estimator if you block access to your personal information.

Estimate Your Retirement Benefits

What is the best age to start receiving retirement benefits?

How Long Can You Stay On Each Page?

For security reasons, there are time limits for viewing each page. You will receive a warning after 25 minutes without doing anything, and you will be able to extend your time on the page. After the third warning on a page, you must move to another page or your time will run out and your work on that page will be lost.

Note: If you turned JavaScript off in your browser, you will not receive these warnings. After you spend 30 minutes on a page, you must move to another page or you will be logged out.

If you need information about how to move around in the Retirement Estimator, please read "How to Move Around in This Application."


	Privacy Policy \| Website Policies & Other Important Information \| Site Map Last reviewed or modified Friday Mar 19, 2010	Need Larger Text?