Your Future Benefits

Social Security can provide you and eligible members of your family with benefits

• when you retire,
• if you become disabled, and
• when you die.

Use our planners to help you better understand your Social Security protection as you plan for your financial future. Then use our benefit calculators to find out your monthly benefit amounts.
 

You can apply online for Social Security Benefits. If you want to apply for retirement benefits, disability benefits, or benefits as the spouse of a retired or disabled worker and you meet certain criteria, you can fill out your application online.
 

Use our Retirement Planner to learn

• how you qualify for Social Security retirement benefits,
• which members of your family may get benefits based on your earnings record, and
• how and when you should apply.

You also can use links to outside web sites that discuss other sources of retirement income and post-retirement concerns such as housing, medical care, and leisure activities.
 

What if you're disabled before you reach retirement age? Use our Disability Planner to find out how you and your family may qualify for benefits if you become severely disabled before you qualify for retirement benefits. Even very young workers may already have earned disability protection.
 

What help is available for survivors? Use our Survivors Planner to look at survivors benefits from two sides

• how your family members are protected if you die and
• how you yourself may qualify as a survivor on someone else's Social Security record.

This protection is particularly important for young families with children.
 

Calculate your own benefits. Each year, you will receive your personal Social Security Statement, which estimates the monthly benefit amounts you and your family may qualify for now and in the future.

Choose a Benefit Calculator and use the information about your earnings to learn how your benefits can be affected by different assumptions about:

• future earnings or
• when you will stop working.

Frequently asked retirement questions. Find answers to your questions.