5 Online Tools You Can Use at Any Age To Plan for a Secure Retirement

October is National Retirement Security Month, an annual initiative to raise awareness about retirement planning. Whether you're new to the workforce, mid-career, or plan to stop work in a few years, here are 5 online tools at ssa.gov to help you financially prepare for a secure retirement.

1. Your Social SecurityStatement

You can review your Social Security Statement by creating or signing in to your personal my Social Security account. Your Statement includes:

• Estimates of future retirement, disability, and survivors benefits based on your earnings - The Statement also shows retirement estimates for every age from 62 (the earliest you can start your benefits) to 70.
• Your earnings record - You'll want to review your earnings to make sure they're correct. If our records are wrong, you may not receive all the benefits to which you're entitled. You may be able to request a correction online. To learn more, read How to Correct Your Social Security Earnings Record.
• A factsheet based on your earnings situation and age group - Age-specific factsheets (for workers 18-48, 49-60, 61-69, 70 and up) can help you better understand our programs.

If you don't have a personal my Social Security account and do not receive benefits, we will mail you a Statement 3 months before your birthday. If you're younger than 60 and would like to receive your Statement by mail, please print and complete a Request for Social Security Statement and mail it to the address on the form.

2. Retirement Age Calculator

You can use our retirement age calculator to find your full retirement age, which is when you become eligible for unreduced benefits. Note: While the full retirement age is 67 if you were born in 1960 or later, the age for Medicare (the federal health insurance program) is still 65 for most people.

3. Benefit Calculator

You can start your retirement benefits as early as age 62, but the amount may be permanently reduced. Your monthly benefit will be higher the longer you wait, up until age 70 when you stop earning delayed retirement credits. Use our benefit calculator to compare the effects of early or delayed retirement based on the different start dates you enter. To learn more, visit our Retirement planner and read When To Start Receiving Retirement Benefits.

4. Earnings Test Calculator

You can work and get retirement or survivors benefits, but there is an earnings limit if you are younger than full retirement age. Use our earnings test calculator to find out how your earnings may affect your benefits. To learn more, visit Receiving Benefits While Working.

5. Life Expectancy Calculator

Your retirement could last decades.

Use our life expectancy calculator to find out the average number of additional years you may live based on your sex and date of birth.

Estimates don't consider your health, lifestyle, and family history.

Social Security was never intended to be your only source of retirement income. You need savings, investments, or pensions to make sure you have enough money to live comfortably in retirement. Visit MyMoney.gov for tips on how to save and invest for your future.

To learn more about how we fit in with your retirement, watch our Retirement & Social Security videos.

Please share these videos and online tools with friends and family members of all ages and post on social media.

Tags:online services, retirement, retirement benefits