The Social Security law includes a complex formula for determining your retirement benefits. In general, the formula will be applied to your record of lifetime earnings through the year before your retirement. Since October 1999, Social Security has been sending personalized benefit statements to all workers over age 25 not now receiving benefits. The annual Social Security Statement contains a complete earnings history along with estimates of benefits payable at age 62, full retirement age (now age 65), and at age 70. You should receive it three months before your birthday; if not, you should call Social Security and request one. When you receive the statement, you should check for errors so that they can be corrected promptly. Verify that the amounts listed equal your own record of earnings, from pay stubs or income tax records. Call the Social Security helpline at 800/772-1213 to report any inaccuracies.

WHEN YOU RETIRE, BENEFITS MAY BE PAID TO:

• You — Age 62 or over
• Your Spouse
  • Age 62 or over
  • Any age if caring for a child under 16, or older than 16 and disabled before 22
• Your Divorced Spouse — Age 62 or over if the marriage lasted at least 10 years (These benefits may be paid before the worker actually retires.)
• Your Unmarried Child — Under 18, or 18 if in high school, or any age if disabled before 22
  

IF YOU BECOME DISABLED, BENEFITS MAY BE PAID TO:

• You — Any age before "Normal Retirement Age"
• Your Spouse
  • Age 62 or over
  • Any age if caring for a child under 16, or older than 16 and disabled before 22
  • Your Unmarried Child — Under 18, or 18 if in high school, or any age if disabled before 22
    

WHEN YOU DIE, BENEFITS MAY BE PAID TO:

• Your Spouse
  • Age 62 or over
  • Any age if caring for a child under 16, or older than 16 and disabled before 22
• Your Unmarried Child — Under 18, or 18 if in high school, or any age if disabled before 22