Seniors who preparing for retirement will find a useful resource online from the Social Security Administration. From the comfort and security of your home, you can apply for benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov. The service is convenient and saves a trip to your local Social Security Office.
Younger seniors will find it easy to obtain a quick and accurate estimate of benefits to use for retirement planning purposes. Go to www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator and enter the requested information. This includes your name, date and place of birth, social security number, mother’s maiden name, and your income last year. Based on the information you provide, you will receive an estimate of the benefit you would receive at ages 62, 67 and 70. The information can be helpful in planning when you will retire and whether your benefit, in addition to your other retirement assets, will be sufficient to sustain you.
Questions about when to apply for retirement benefits are answered in the publication titled When to Start Receiving Retirement Benefits. You can view the publication at http://socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10147.html.
