Social Security Office Launches a New Online Retirement Benefit Estimate Calculator

Not to be left out of the online information age, the Social Security Office has built, and is now available, an online retirement estimator tool for Medicare-only beneficiaries. The tool, available at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator/, provides individuals with instant and personalized Social Security benefit estimates for those enrolled in Medicare, but have not yet filed for Social Security benefits. These individuals will no longer need to contact their local Social Security office for an estimate of benefits.

Specifically, you can use their Retirement Estimator if:

• You have enough Social Security credits to qualify for benefits, and
• You are not:
  • Receiving benefits on your own Social Security record,
  • Age 62 or older and receiving benefits on another record, or
  • Eligible for pension based on work not covered by Social Security

Next year Social Security intends to make this online tool available in Spanish as well.