| Social Security retirement benefits are based on | | | | expenses will be reduced. But just think ahead a |
| three major factors: you current age, your age | | | | little. Maybe you've always had a dream about |
| when you begin receiving benefits, and your past | | | | your life in retirement. That dream may have |
| earnings. | | | | included taking up a hobby or it may have included |
| You are free to stop working and start receiving | | | | some travel. Depending on your retirement plans |
| Social Security benefits anytime between the | | | | you may need a higher income than what Social |
| ages of 62 and 70. But you age impacts on how | | | | Security is planning to provide you. |
| much you will end up getting. In the past, you | | | | You can find out what your Social Security |
| would expect to get your full benefits once you | | | | benefits will be by making the relevant calculations. |
| hit that magical age of 65. But that's not quite | | | | Finding out how much you will be earning when |
| how Social Security works now. | | | | you retire seems very complicated, but there are |
| There are many sources of information on the | | | | tools on the Internet that you can use right now |
| Internet to guide you towards making an | | | | to get you all the information you need to plan |
| informed prediction of whether Social Security will | | | | for a comfortable retirement. |
| be enough to cover your expenses when you | | | | There are tools available online to help you |
| retire. | | | | calculate your retirement income. The Social |
| Your first stop on the Internet is the Social | | | | Security Administration website provides online |
| Security Administration website. Access this | | | | calculators to help you estimate your potential |
| website directly at Be prepared to learn the | | | | benefit amounts and different levels of potential |
| worst. | | | | future earnings. |
| For the vast majority of Americans, Social | | | | And remember. It's never too late to start |
| Security benefits will not provide enough of an | | | | planning for retirement. Most people seriously |
| income and to cover expenses and make | | | | begin thinking about their retirement when it is |
| retirement comfortable. | | | | just around the corner. But even so, it is never |
| Most people think that once they retire their | | | | too late. Start now. Be prepared. |