Race to Retirement

And they’re off! Wanda Worker takes the lead as she visits my Social Security and gets a handle on her retirement planning. John Q. Public gains ground as he uses Social Security’sRetirement Estimator to get a clearer picture of his future retirement benefits. It’s neck and neck. But wait—Average Joe picks up speed as he applies for retirement benefits on his laptop from the comfort of his recliner and takes the reins of his retirement. May celebrates races. Whether you plan to watch the Kentucky Derby in early May or the Indy 500 later in the month, May is a month for those with the need for speed. In the 15 minutes that pass as Average Joe tunes into the Kentucky Derby, he’s able to go from worker to retiree. By the time the Indy 500 rolls around, he’ll know how much his monthly benefit will be. Race enthusiasts will be pleased to know that, although they should never make a speedy decision about when to retire, they can apply for retirement in a flash using our online services at www.socialsecurity.gov/onlineservices. Jump into our Retirement Estimator to get an instant estimate of your future benefit amount. You can take pit stops and change the scenarios (as easily as pit crews change tires) to see how your benefit amount will change with different retirement dates and future earnings estimates. Get a jump start on your retirement planning atwww.socialsecurity.gov/estimator. Zip over to my Social Security to open your secure online account, allowing you immediate access to your personal Social Security information. During your working years, you can use my Social Security to view your Social Security Statement to check your earnings record and see estimates of the future retirement, disability and survivor benefits you and your family may receive. If you already get benefits, use my Social Security to get your proof of benefits letter, change your address or phone number on our records, start or change your direct deposit information and check your benefit and payment information. Kick start your account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. Ready to sprint to the finish line? Complete the online application for retirement in as little as 15 minutes at www.socialsecurity.gov/applyonline. Once you complete and submit the electronic application, in most cases, that’s it—no more papers to sign or documents to provide. Whatever your choice of race, if you have the need for speed, you’ll get a rush out of our online services at www.socialsecurity.gov/onlineservices.