Online Services, Retirement, Taxes

Prepare for Your Future with my Social Security and myRA

February 29, 2016 • By

Reading Time: 1 Minute

Last Updated: November 6, 2023

Your future belongs to you. Although retirement may seem far off, life moves quickly, and it’s important to take the right steps now to ensure your financial wellbeing down the road.

To help more Americans prepare for long-term financial security, Social Security and the Department of the Treasury are joining forces to launch Envision a Secure Financial Future. Through this new initiative, you can take advantage of a variety of tools and programs to help prepare your finances for years to come.

my Social Security allows you to keep track of your yearly earnings, review the estimated Social Security and Medicare taxes you’ve paid, and estimate your future benefits. More than 23 million people have already signed up for a my Social Security  account, and you can open yours by visiting socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.

Treasury’s myRA lets you go one step further to boost your retirement funds. myRA is a new retirement savings account that is simple, safe, and affordable.  It costs nothing to open an account, there are no fees, and myRA carries no risk of losing money.

With myRA, you can fund your account via payroll deduction, or from your checking or savings account. If you are due a tax refund, you can also direct some or all of it to your myRA account automatically when you file your taxes with direct deposit. It only takes minutes to sign up. Visit myRA.gov to get started today.

It’s up to you to plan for your retirement. Take control of your future with my Social Security  and myRA.

Did you find this Information helpful?

Yes
No
Thanks for your feedback!
See Comments

About the Author

Richard Ludlow, Dept. of Treasury, Executive Director, myRA Program

Richard Ludlow, Executive Director, myRA Program

Comments

  1. sociallancer.com

    It would then be taxed again as income just like my social security benefits now when I file my taxes ?

    I am glad I am getting my benefits and just don’t understand how the poor have it better off than most of us that have worked most of our lives. While I was working my neighbor was home and never worked, and his family had everything some of us never had while working. That’s what happens when women don’t get married and we have to support the ( male ) baby maker, and his children. Facebook Ads Marketing Bangladesh

  2. Sue

    I just heard that it’s possible to not only receive my deceased husbands social security benefits ( which I do) but also my own at the same time. Is this true?

    • Ray F.

      Hi Sue, sometimes, a person could be entitled to more than one benefit at the same time and may receive a combination of benefits equaling a higher amount. For example, a person may be entitled as a retired worker on his/her own record and also as a spouse or widow on another record. However, this individual’s benefit amount can never exceed the highest of either benefit amount to which they are entitled to. To see if you qualify for a higher benefit than what you are currently receiving, contact your local office or you may call our toll free telephone number at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. and ask a representative to assist you.

  3. Jj

    I’m retire receiving soc. Security .
    Can I make a larger payment from my savings to ensure a better retirement, like buying anther pension payment?

    • Ray F.

      Thank you for your question Jj. Individuals qualify for Social Security benefits by earning Social Security credits when they work in a job and pay Social Security taxes. The amount of the retirement benefits you receive is established at the time you applied for retirement benefits. It is based on the amount of your average lifetime earnings and your age at the time you applied. Generally, we use the highest years of earnings to calculate your monthly benefit amount.

  4. Cosme

    I am glad I am getting my benefits and just don’t understand how the poor have it better off than most of us that have worked most of our lives. While I was working my neighbor was home and never worked, and his family had everything some of us never had while working. That’s what happens when women don’t get married and we have to support the ( male ) baby maker, and his children.

  5. CTP

    I plan on retiring soon, how soon do i need to notify SSA. I am currently receiving spousal benefits and plan to retire May 1, 2016 I believe.

    • Ray F.

      Our system is set up to take applications three months in advance. Remember that Social Security benefits are paid the month after they are due. So, for instance, if you want your benefits to begin with the month of May, you will receive your first benefit payment in June. If you cannot apply online or you decide not to finish applying online, for whatever reason, you can apply in person at any Social Security office or by calling our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 for assistance. Representatives are available between 7a.m. and 7p.m., Monday through Friday. Generally, you’ll have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week. Happy retirement!

      • Polly

        Your post has moved the debate forwdra. Thanks for sharing!

    • Lottie

      At last! Someone with the insight to solve the prbleom!

  6. jan

    I would like to know if my x retires at 62 and he is collecting, and I am on disability just turned 60 am I allowed anything from his account Social Security?

    • Ray F.

      Hello Jan, you may be able to receive benefits on your ex-spouse’s record at age 62 if:
      • You were married to your ex-spouse for at least 10 years;
      • You are unmarried;
      • Your ex-spouse is entitled to Social Security retirement or disability benefits and,
      • The benefit you are entitled to receive based on your own work is less than the benefit you would receive based on your ex-spouse’s work.
      For more information, please visit our Retirement Planner: If You Are Divorced. Thanks!

    • Ray F.

      Hello Jan, you may be able to receive benefits on your ex-spouse’s record at age 62 if:
      • You were married to your ex-spouse for at least 10 years;
      • You are unmarried;
      • Your ex-spouse is entitled to Social Security retirement or disability benefits and,
      • The benefit you are entitled to receive based on your own work is less than the benefit you would receive based on your ex-spouse’s work.
      For more information, please visit our Retirement Planner: If You Are Divorced. Thanks!

  7. Linda W.

    does anyone answer these questions?

    • Ray F.

      Hi Linda, we have an official social media team dedicated to posting messages and responses to customer inquiries or comments that specifically address SSA issues. Please be aware that our official agency responses will always include the Social Security Administration (SSA) seal. Our blog — Social Security Matters — gives readers information about a variety of topics, including our programs, online services, current events, and human-interest stories, usually in greater detail than typically shared on our other social media platforms. Thank you for your support and for using our blog.

      • Carley

        Laurie,We did connect small groups for single adults at the SG Connection last Thursday. The Converge event is for single adults (men and women) to come together for a day of serving the community and fellowship. If you want more information about it, check out the website corccrge.portcityehunvh.orgLet me know if you have any additional questions.Thanks!

    • Ray F.

      Hi Linda, we have an official social media team committed to responding to customer inquiries and sharing important Social Security messages. Our official agency responses will always include the Social Security Administration (SSA) seal. Our blog — Social Security Matters — gives readers information about a variety of topics, including our programs, online services, current events, and human-interest stories, usually in greater detail than typically shared on our other social media platforms. Thank you for your support and for using our blog.

  8. Linda W.

    My sister collects Social Security from her husband. Does the “D” after his SS number stand for deceased or dependent?

    • Ray F.

      A letter after a Social Security number is an identifying suffix called the “Beneficiary Identification Code”. A letter “D” in this case, identifies a “Wife receiving benefits on a deceased husband’s record”.

  9. cherie

    Without S.S. I will be unable to live.Iam 78 soon to be 79 .I have no other income.The cost of living has been very tight
    for all of seniors. I understand a law has been passed in the senate and congress, That we will loose our S.S. if this is true .Us seniors will fight you to the end .we paid in to this all our lives. What gives the gov’t the right to come in and just take everything we have.Iam a Republican when we get the democrats out of office .Trump will cancel all of Ooma dirty deeds though out his term.by the way what is RA?

  10. J L.

    It would then be taxed again as income just like my social security benefits now when I file my taxes ?

Comments are closed.