For seniors who are planning for retirement, the Social Security retirement estimator can be a helpful tool. This free calculator on the Social Security Administration’s website will quickly give you an estimate of your future benefits. Once you plug in information about your Social Security earnings record, you’ll be able to see what your monthly benefits might look like.

Using the Social Security Retirement Estimator

You can use this free tool if you qualify for benefits, but not if you have not yet earned enough credits or if you are waiting on a decision about an application.

First, click on “Estimate Your Retirement Benefits.” This will take you to a page where you’ll be asked to enter some basic information, including your name, your mother’s maiden name, your Social Security number, and your birthday. Once you enter this information, you can submit it to find out what your benefits might look like.

Your benefits estimate can be helpful if you are trying to make a budget. However, a few factors can change the amount you actually receive. For example, if the amount you make changes in the future, you could receive more or less in benefits. Additionally, Social Security’s annual cost-of-living increases (COLAs) can lead to increased benefits.

At NORA, We Put Seniors First

Hardworking American seniors should receive all the Social Security benefits they’ve earned. However, low or nonexistent COLAs in the past have kept Social Security beneficiaries from receiving the funds they’ve earned. That’s why NORA is working to pass The Guaranteed 3% COLA for Seniors Act, an important piece of legislation that would ensure that COLAs equal at least 3%. We’re also asking Congress to make this act retroactive to 2010. Some seniors could receive thousands in unpaid benefits.

So join us today by signing our online petition and by following us on Twitter and Facebook. Helping retirees is our priority, and every signature helps.