Online Services, Retirement

3 Things You Can Do to Prepare for Retirement Right Now

April 12, 2018 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: November 3, 2023

woman on laptop Whether you just started seriously planning or are ready to retire, Social Security is the place to start. We’re with you throughout life’s journey, and that includes retirement planning!

The first thing you should remember is that Social Security replaces only a portion of your pre-retirement earnings. Most financial advisers say you will need about 70 percent of pre-retirement income to live comfortably in retirement, including your Social Security benefits, investments, and other savings. A solid retirement plan includes planning for more than Social Security. You can use Your Retirement Checklist to help you prepare.

When the time comes to take that giant step into retirement, Social Security’s online services can help guide you in this new journey. Use these services to help prepare yourself for a financially secure retirement:

  1. Check your earnings for accuracy
    • With a my Social Security account, you can view your earnings history, confirm you have enough work credits to retire, and see estimates of what your benefits will be. Open your account today!
  2. Determine the best age for you to retire
    • Our Retirement Estimator is a great tool that provides you with immediate and personalized estimates based on your own earnings record. This allows you to receive the most accurate estimate of your future retirement benefits. Estimate your benefits now!
  3. Retire online
    • After you have viewed your earnings history for accuracy, confirmed you have enough work credits to retire, and determined the best age for you to retire, you can get started on the next phase of your life right away by retiring online! Retire online today!

This National Social Security Month, remember that Social Security is here to help you secure today and tomorrow. Visit  our online services website today to see all you can do with us online.

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About the Author

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Comments

  1. Howard D.

    Some of us are lifetime disabled. Born with disabilities we could not overcome, we struggled all our lives to live on what lirlle SSA we did managed to get, SSI and or Survivors Benefits. What happens to.us as we hit retirement age? It’s very difficult to live on these tiny checks with other benefits ending or being cut. What do we do?

    • Snarky

      When you reach retirement age, nothing happens, you’ll continue to receive what you’re getting now.

  2. Kimberly

    Hello Mr. Borland, I have been trying so hard to connect with a person that would come to our company and do a Lunch & Learn on SS. Can you help me? Can you suggest someone I can contact? There are approximately 200 people in this office but we are an international company.

    Thank you in advance for your quick response.

    Kimberly Warner

    • Snarky

      Most SS offices have a field representative who would be glad to talk to your employees. Call your local office. Don’t think this public site is appropriate to book someone. Mr. Borland has more important things to do.

      • Tom

        Most field offices don’t have FR’s anymore. This has been the case for 20-30 years. Someone has to be removed from operations to attend. Local offices must weigh the advantage of what is gained by having an employee offset against a stressed field operation. Welcome to the world of “reducing the size of government”.

  3. Darwin S.

    The social security administration is. The
    Most shet more bigger and this world.
    Including all the people work for ,then.
    They are devil, they don’t care anybody including me.thry don’t know how I feel is ok. and they don’t care all you, but and the end, GOD Came for me and all of you.
    and they going a different places, and don’t
    have any I deserve what s to be done

    • Snarky

      God is coming, go out into the woods, lay down and go to sleep my friend.

  4. Darwin S.

    I m ready ,to retire with the social security
    I don’t feel happy, better, comfortable, I feel.
    My life, how disappear, from my hands, how
    My body change and my mind too.
    Sometimes, just I want to be a lone.
    For the rest of my life. I feel like I don’t need
    To anybody just Jesus Christ.

    • Snarky

      Another Gretta Garbo!

  5. Jose M.

    Please sent my pension I am starved hungry to survy.
    thank you.
    Name:

    Jose M. Bazan
    9344
    Peru
    Not Phone ni money
    my claim is survivor widou or espouse divorse
    also i have medicare but I cant use hiar.
    my addres is:
    Huaraz 1487- Breña – Lima-5 Peru

  6. Lesly F.

    I don’t think i can get my retirement i didn’t work to get my full 40 credit and i am 64 years old my health is not improve.my earning credit is 25 but i need 15 more.i hope i can get my ssi benefits to survive now.

  7. Lesly F.

    don’t think i can get my retirement i didn’t work to get my full 40 credit and i am 64 years old my health is not improve.my earning credit is 25 but i need 15 more.i hope i can get my ssi benefits to survive now.

    • Snarky

      You’ve been a busy bee, 6 years of covered work in the last 45 years.

  8. ABDELMADJID B.

    hi. if i am in algeria . haw can i be in this Compagnie?

  9. ABDELMADJID B.

    hi. if i am in algeria . haw can i be in this Compagnie?

    • Snarky

      Why, just do the 3 recommended things for retirement. I’m in Outer Slobovia and it worked for me.

  10. Joyce L.

    I’ve been receiving my Social Security Spousal benefits based on my husband’s income and benefits. I was eligible for and used my option to restrict my application for benefits to exclude my own work record, allowing my benefits to increase until age 70.
    I have a My Social Security Account and therefore do not receive a paper print. Since filing for benefits my electronic record has removed access to estimates of future benefits so I can no longer use the tool to make retirement decisions. A flaw I have contacted SSA about and highly recommend that you revise software to allow access again to retirement information for planning.

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