Now is the Perfect Time to Check on Your Retirement List
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: August 30, 2018
With every change of season, there’s usually a list of essential items that must be done. If you’re getting your house ready for winter, you are likely getting your furnace serviced and cleaning your gutters among other things. In the same way you’re getting your house ready for the colder months, we want to make sure you’re checking off items on another important list, your retirement list.
A healthy retirement checklist should include the following questions:
- Did you verify your earnings? — With a mySocial 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 or sign in to your account today!
- Do you know how much your benefit will be? — Our Retirement Estimatoris a great tool that provides you with immediate and personalized estimates based on your own earnings record. It provides the most accurate estimate of your future benefits.
- Do you have additional retirement income? — Social Security benefits only replace a percentage of your pre-retirement income based on your lifetime earnings. A healthy retirement plan also includes your savings and perhaps an employer-sponsored retirement plan or 401(k), especially if your employer offers matching funds on what you invest. If your employer doesn’t offer this type of plan, there are many other plans to help you save for retirement, such as solo 401(k)s as well as traditional and Roth IRAs.
To help you answer these questions, we recommend reading our publication, Your Retirement Checklist. It explains what you need to know before you apply, special circumstances that may apply to you, and other things you may want to think about.
Also, our retirement website has a wealth of resources to use when you’re planning for retirement. Check it out today and start crossing off items from your list.
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About the Author
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Comments
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mary b.
I am locked out of my account. I have tried everything I
know. please text me a phone number to mbposton@yahoo.com
A.C.
Hi, Mary Beth. We are sorry to hear you have had difficulty accessing your personal my Social Security account. If you are still unable to access an account or encounter a problem with your personal my Social Security account, you may:
•Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”; or
•Contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Penny S.
As a 51 year old survivor of childhood abuse by step father I’ve been left disabled in ways most will never understand. Can’t leave home most days and when I do it creates severe stress. Anxiety depression, social phobia/social anxiety. Cptsd, flashbacks come still and it sets me back many a time. I was even drugged as child, dfs came to home yet left not even talking to me. My brother would have been had I not protected him. After moving out brother most likely was abused too. I will never have normal relationship, be loved, I continue to be beat down as this world has no empathy or compassion for those who were destroyed as children. I made A’s track, played basketball, cheerleader, should’ve gotten scholarship but I couldn’t make it thru high school. I’m called crazy by others as they don’t understand the damage left left behind. Guilt shame have consumed my life. Was even in hospital as child and hospital didn’t want to release me to parents but parents wouldn’t allow. I’m unable to financially make it without getting behind. My step father suffered not while my whole life was taken by him. I feel, I know I deserve to be able to draw disability off stepfather work history since he’s the reason I’m so messed up. It’s affected my kids and grandkids. My constitutional rights were violated and I’m not going away till I get some kind of compensation. Monthly 319 is just putting me farther in the hole. Might as well just die. I can’t continue to live like this. Please help me. I don’t and can’t just go in to office most of time. I shouldn’t have to beg. Linn Missouri police were told but I couldn’t go thru with it. It was so l9ng ago I know but children can not tell paren5s no. 4 years old till bout 18 years old. I also have other h3alth issues. I will never get closure from that man either and that alone keeps me unable to completely heal. Something must change soon I still don’t have medical insurance I’m sick I need medicine. Unless I’m right and would be best just to end it now, what’s the point anyway.
Kelly
My husband is deceased, I will assume that since he died at age 32, in 1992, that my social security benefit would be larger than his? I did receive benefits for our children at the time of his death until they turned 18. I guess I want to know is there any possible way his benefit would be larger and if I were to re-marry now, would that effect anything where his benefit to me would be a concern.
Gail F.
How do I know if I need to file taxes. I went to a tax place and they said I did not but I want to be sure.
R.F.
Hello Gail, some people may have to pay federal income taxes on their Social Security benefits. This usually happens only if you have other substantial income. See our “Benefits Planner – Income Taxes And Your Social Security Benefit” for more information. Thanks!
Mabel O.
I prefer to go personally to Social Security Office near me to ask very necessary questions. Many times I don’t understand their explanations. Please can some one help poor elderly people who had worked so hard through out their lives? Please help us.
nada b.
i am 82 and i apply at 70 tay look my account it was 140.00 $ so i gat medicare i sold live on watch
so have $72.dolars for thet naw this rose to $ 371. 00
i send nots to president Obama maker of florida for help
bat who care
Nada
Rosa A.
How much is te deduction for Medicare on the retirement check?
V.V.
Hi Rosa: The standard Medicare Part B premium for medical insurance in 2018 is $134.00.
Some people who collect Social Security benefits and have their Part B premiums deducted from their payment will pay less. This is because their Part B premium increased more than the cost-of-living increase for 2018 Social Security benefits. Social Security will send a letter to all people who collect Social Security benefits (and those who pay higher premiums because of their income) that states each person’s exact Part B premium amount for 2018.
Since 2007, higher-income beneficiaries have paid a larger percentage of their Medicare Part B premium than most. Depending on their income, these higher-income beneficiaries will pay premiums that amount to 35, 50, 65, or 80 percent of the total cost of coverage. You can get details at Medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (TTY 1-877-486-2048).