User\'s Guide for Social Security Benefit Calculator

Table Of Contents

[Social Security Benefit Calculator
1](#social-security-benefit-calculator)

[How to\... 3](#how-to...)

[Install/uninstall on Windows 3](#installuninstall-on-windows)

[Install/uninstall on a Mac 3](#installuninstall-on-a-mac)

[Entering data for a new case 3](#entering-data-for-a-new-case)

[Estimate a normal retirement benefit
4](#estimate-a-normal-retirement-benefit)

[File structure 4](#file-structure)

[Menus 11](#menus)

[File menu 11](#file-menu)

[File menu commands 11](#file-menu-commands)

[New command (File menu) 11](#new-command-file-menu)

[Open command (File menu) 11](#open-command-file-menu)

[File Open dialog box 11](#file-open-dialog-box)

[Save command (File menu) 12](#save-command-file-menu)

[Save As command (File menu) 12](#save-as-command-file-menu)

[File Save As dialog box 13](#file-save-as-dialog-box)

[Calculate Estimate 13](#calculate-estimate)

[Page Setup command 13](#page-setup-command)

[Print command 14](#print-command)

[Print Preview command (File menu) 15](#print-preview-command-file-menu)

[Print Preview toolbar 15](#print-preview-toolbar)

[Print Setup command (File menu) 16](#print-setup-command-file-menu)

[Print Setup dialog box 16](#print-setup-dialog-box)

[1, 2, 3, 4 command (File menu) 17](#command-file-menu)

[Exit command (File menu) 17](#exit-command-file-menu)

[Edit menu 17](#edit-menu)

[Edit menu commands 17](#edit-menu-commands)

[Undo/Can\'t Undo command (Edit menu)
17](#undocant-undo-command-edit-menu)

[Cut command (Edit menu) 18](#cut-command-edit-menu)

[Copy command (Edit menu) 18](#copy-command-edit-menu)

[Paste command (Edit menu) 18](#paste-command-edit-menu)

[View menu 18](#view-menu)

[View menu commands 18](#view-menu-commands)

[Toolbar command (View menu) 18](#toolbar-command-view-menu)

[Toolbar 18](#toolbar)

[Status Bar command (View menu) 19](#status-bar-command-view-menu)

[Status Bar 19](#status-bar)

[Font command (View menu) 20](#font-command-view-menu)

[Font size (Font dialog) 20](#font-size-font-dialog)

[Forms menu 20](#forms-menu)

[Forms menu commands 20](#forms-menu-commands)

[Worker Info form 20](#worker-info-form)

[Statement Info form 26](#statement-info-form)

[Supplemental Worker Info form 28](#supplemental-worker-info-form)

[Disability Info form 34](#disability-info-form)

[Family Members form 37](#family-members-form)

[Military Service form 42](#military-service-form)

[Summary QCs form 43](#summary-qcs-form)

[Assumptions form 44](#assumptions-form)

[Projected Benefit Increases form 50](#projected-benefit-increases-form)

[Catch-up Increases form 51](#catch-up-increases-form)

[Projected Average Wage Increases form
51](#projected-average-wage-increases-form)

[Wage Bases form 52](#wage-bases-form)

[Annual Earnings Info form 53](#annual-earnings-info-form)

[Properties menu 55](#properties-menu)

[Properties menu commands 55](#properties-menu-commands)

[Computation Year form 56](#computation-year-form)

[Field Office Info form 57](#field-office-info-form)

[Historical Amounts 59](#historical-amounts)

[Benefit Increases 60](#benefit-increases)

[Catch-up Increases 62](#catch-up-increases-1)

[Average Wage Increases 64](#average-wage-increases)

[Help menu 65](#help-menu)

[Help menu commands 65](#help-menu-commands)

[Context Help command 65](#context-help-command)

[Help topics command (Help menu) 65](#help-topics-command-help-menu)

[About command (Help menu) 66](#about-command-help-menu)

[Description of generated report 67](#description-of-generated-report)

[General report information 67](#general-report-information)

[Social Security Statement 67](#social-security-statement)

[General Statement information 67](#general-statement-information)

[Statement letter 67](#statement-letter)

[Statement summary 68](#statement-summary)

[Statement earnings and taxes 68](#statement-earnings-and-taxes)

[Statement benefit estimates 68](#statement-benefit-estimates)

[Statement credits 69](#statement-credits)

[Statement information 69](#statement-information)

[Other than Social Security Statement
69](#other-than-social-security-statement)

[Pages in a non-Statement report 69](#pages-in-a-non-statement-report)

[Summary of results 70](#summary-of-results)

[Table of earnings 70](#table-of-earnings)

[Insured status 70](#insured-status)

[Family members 71](#family-members)

[Old-start method 71](#old-start-method)

[New-start method 72](#new-start-method)

[Wage-indexed formula 73](#wage-indexed-formula)

[Transitional guarantee 75](#transitional-guarantee)

[Special minimum 75](#special-minimum)

[Re-indexed widow(er) guarantee 76](#re-indexed-widower-guarantee)

[Frozen minimum 77](#frozen-minimum)

[Disability guarantee 77](#disability-guarantee)

[Childcare dropout year method 77](#childcare-dropout-year-method)

[Taxes paid 78](#taxes-paid)

[Sample cases 79](#sample-cases)

[Sample cases 79](#sample-cases-1)

[Sample case 1 79](#sample-case-1)

[Description 79](#description)

[Result 79](#result)

[Sample case 2 79](#sample-case-2)

[Description 79](#description-1)

[Result 79](#result-1)

[Sample case 3 79](#sample-case-3)

[Description 80](#description-2)

[Result 80](#result-2)

[Sample case 4 80](#sample-case-4)

[Description 80](#description-3)

[Result 80](#result-3)

[Sample case 5 80](#sample-case-5)

[Description 80](#description-4)

[Result 81](#result-4)

[Sample case 6 81](#sample-case-6)

[Description 81](#description-5)

[Result 81](#result-5)

[Sample case 7 81](#sample-case-7)

[Description 81](#description-6)

[Result 81](#result-6)

[Sample case 8 82](#sample-case-8)

[Description 82](#description-7)

[Result 82](#result-7)

[Sample case 9 82](#sample-case-9)

[Description 82](#description-8)

[Result 82](#result-8)

[Sample case 10 82](#sample-case-10)

[Description 82](#description-9)

[Result 83](#result-9)

[Sample case 11 83](#sample-case-11)

[Description 83](#description-10)

[Result 83](#result-10)

[Sample case 12 83](#sample-case-12)

[Description 83](#description-11)

[Result 83](#result-11)

[Sample case 13 83](#sample-case-13)

[Description 84](#description-12)

[Result 84](#result-12)

[Sample case 14 84](#sample-case-14)

[Description 84](#description-13)

[Result 84](#result-13)

[Sample case 15 84](#sample-case-15)

[Description 84](#description-14)

[Result 85](#result-14)

[Sample case 16 85](#sample-case-16)

[Description 85](#description-15)

[Result 85](#result-15)

[Sample case 17 85](#sample-case-17)

[Description 85](#description-16)

[Result 86](#result-16)

[Sample case 18 86](#sample-case-18)

[Description 86](#description-17)

[Result 86](#result-17)

[Sample case 19 86](#sample-case-19)

[Description 86](#description-18)

[Result 86](#result-18)

[Sample case 20 87](#sample-case-20)

[Description 87](#description-19)

[Result 87](#result-19)

[Sample case 21 87](#sample-case-21)

[Description 87](#description-20)

[Result 87](#result-20)

[Sample case 22 87](#sample-case-22)

[Description 87](#description-21)

[Result 88](#result-21)

[Sample case 23 88](#sample-case-23)

[Description 88](#description-22)

[Result 88](#result-22)

[Sample case 24 88](#sample-case-24)

[Description 88](#description-23)

[Result 88](#result-23)

[Sample case 25 89](#sample-case-25)

[Description 89](#description-24)

[Result 89](#result-24)

[Sample case 26 89](#sample-case-26)

[Description 89](#description-25)

[Result 89](#result-25)

[Sample case 27 89](#sample-case-27)

[Description 89](#description-26)

[Result 90](#result-26)

[Sample case 28 90](#sample-case-28)

[Description 90](#description-27)

[Result 90](#result-27)

[Sample case 29 90](#sample-case-29)

[Description 90](#description-28)

[Result 90](#result-28)

[Sample case 30 91](#sample-case-30)

[Description 91](#description-29)

[Result 91](#result-29)

[Registry entries 93](#registry-entries)

[Social Security Benefit Calculator and the Registry
93](#social-security-benefit-calculator-and-the-registry)

[Recent File List section in the Registry
93](#recent-file-list-section-in-the-registry)

[Computation Year section in the Registry
93](#computation-year-section-in-the-registry)

[Field Office Info section in the Registry
93](#field-office-info-section-in-the-registry)

[Historical Amounts for xxxx section in the Registry
94](#historical-amounts-for-xxxx-section-in-the-registry)

[Benefit Increases Set x section in the Registry
94](#benefit-increases-set-x-section-in-the-registry)

[Catch-up Increases Set x section in the Registry
94](#catch-up-increases-set-x-section-in-the-registry)

[Average Wage Increases Set x section in the Registry
95](#average-wage-increases-set-x-section-in-the-registry)

[Settings section in the Registry 95](#settings-section-in-the-registry)

[For developers only 97](#for-developers-only)

[Input data from a file 97](#input-data-from-a-file)

[Source code 97](#source-code)

[Glossary 99](#glossary)

[AIME 99](#aime)

[AME 99](#ame)

[MBA 99](#mba)

[MFB 99](#mfb)

[Military service wage credits 99](#military-service-wage-credits)

[PIA 100](#pia)

[Quarters of coverage 100](#quarters-of-coverage)

[Trustees Report 100](#trustees-report-1)

[Totalization 101](#totalization)

[Contacting the Social Security Administration
103](#contacting-the-social-security-administration)

[Obtaining a Social Security Statement
103](#obtaining-a-social-security-statement)

[Technical support 103](#technical-support)

[Personal assistance 104](#personal-assistance)

[Other resources 104](#other-resources)

[Index 105](#index)

# Social Security Benefit Calculator

The Social Security Benefit Calculator calculates the Social Security
benefit for an old-age, survivor, or disability claim, given the
characteristics of a particular worker (such as birth date, past
earnings, and type of benefit). It also produces the Primary Insurance
Amount (PIA), Maximum Family Benefit (MFB), the actuarial reduction or
increment factor (for early or delayed retirement), and the Monthly
Benefit Amount (MBA).

The Calculator can produce a benefit for any historical case from the
first Social Security benefit paid (1940). It can also produce a
projected benefit estimate, based on standard or user-specified
assumptions, through 2080. All amendments to the law, and automatic
adjustments, through 2008 are taken into account.

The Calculator can also produce the figures shown in the Social Security
Statement. The Social Security Statement provides estimates for
retirement at early, full, and delayed retirement ages, and survivors
and disability benefits. Note, however, that some of the data required
by the Calculator, such as past earnings, can only be obtained by first
requesting an official Social Security Statement.

Although we have tried to be as accurate as possible, this is not the
same program as is used for official Social Security calculations and it
may produce results that differ from an official calculation. In
particular, we have made approximations for pre-1965 benefits and for
the frozen minimum PIA, we do not take account of more than two periods
of disability or disability non-exclusion calculations, and the
disability guarantee PIA calculation is only partially implemented.
Based on experience to date, the Calculator matches the official
calculations very well, with most differences due to late posting of
earnings to the earnings record, or different assumptions for projected
benefits.

The source program is not copyrighted. Distribution is encouraged, with
acknowledgment to the Social Security Administration, Office of the
Actuary.

# How to\...

## Install/uninstall on Windows

The downloadable files are stored in an InstallShield file. See
download.html for information on downloading.

After downloading the program, install it by executing the downloaded
file. The InstallShield dialog boxes will guide you through the
installation process. When it is finished, you will have a folder named
**Calculator** with 33 files:

-   anypia32.exe - the benefit calculator;

-   anypia32.chm - help information;

-   readme.txt - last-minute information; and

-   30 sample calculation files (with extensions of .pia).

The default location for the folder is in a folder named **SSA**, inside
your **Program Files** folder. There will also be an entry in your Start
Menu and an alias on your desktop for the benefit calculator. To start
the program, choose it from the Start Menu, or click the alias on the
desktop.

To uninstall the calculator, select Settings, Control Panel from the
Start Menu. Choose Add/Remove Programs. Highlight Social Security
Benefit Calculator and click on the Add/Remove button.

## Install/uninstall on a Mac

The downloadable files are stored in Stuffit (.sit) format. Download
Anypia.sit and expand the calculator using Stuffit Expander. This
creates a folder named **Benefit Calculator**. It contains 32 files and
2 subfolders:

-   **Anypia** - the benefit estimate program;

-   **readme.txt** - last-minute information;

-   30 sample calculation files (with extensions of **.pia**);

-   subfolder **html** containing about 400 help files in html format,
    divided among 11 subfolders; and

-   subfolder **images** containing 17 .gif images used in the html
    files.

Start the calculator by double-clicking on **Anypia**. A desktop alias
can be created for **Anypia** using the usual facilities available in
the MacOS. Start your browsing of the help files with
**main_index.html** in the **html** subfolder.

To uninstall the calculator, drag the **Benefit Calculator** folder to
the trashcan.

## Entering data for a new case

To enter data for a new case, choose Forms from the main menu. There
will be about ten menu items listed. Some will be grayed out, meaning
that they do not currently apply to the case being entered. Start at the
top of the list of forms and choose each one that is not grayed out. A
form will pop up each time you make a choice from the list of menu
items. Enter the appropriate data in each box and click on OK.

If you make a mistake, a warning box will pop up and describe the error.
When you click OK in the warning box, you will be returned to the form
to correct your error.

After you have gone down the list of forms and entered all your data,
choose File from the main menu. Select Calculate Estimate to calculate
the Social Security benefit. The results will appear on the screen. (You
may have to scroll down the screen to see all of the results.)

To print the results, choose File from the main menu and select Print.

## Estimate a normal retirement benefit

To get a standard retirement benefit estimate using the calculator, you
need to enter information on the program\'s forms, which you access from
the forms menu.  Do the following:  

1.  Enter your birthdate on the worker information form and any other
    information here you want to show up on your estimate.

2.  Enter the date at which you want to start receiving benefits in the
    entitlement date blank on the supplemental worker form and enter the
    years in which you will enter your earnings.  You should include
    estimated future earnings.

3.  Go to the annual earnings form and enter all your earnings.

4.  If you wish, go to the assumptions form and select the set of future
    economic assumptions you wish to use in estimating your benefit.

5.  If you earned less than 40 quarters of coverage (QCs) after 1977,
    enter the number of QCs you earned before 1978 on the summary QCs
    form so that the calculator will know you are fully insured.

6.  Select calculate estimate on the file menu.

Your benefit estimate will be on the first page of output, and is
labeled \"Benefit after rounding.\"

## File structure

The file created when you choose \"Save\" or \"Save As\" from the File
menu is stored in a file with a name ending in \".pia\". Normally you do
not need to view the file directly; you would choose \"Open\" from the
File menu to read the file back into the Social Security Benefit
Calculator.

In some cases you may want to view or edit a \".pia\" file. The file is
stored as ASCII text, where each line begins with a 2-digit line number.
The rest of each line depends on the line number, as follows:

  ---------------- ---------- -------------------------------------------------------
  Line number      Position   Description

  01               3-11       Social Security number

                   12         Sex\
                              0 for male\
                              1 for female

                   13-14      Month of birth

                   15-16      Day of birth

                   17-20      Year of birth

  02               3-4        Month of death

                   5-6        Day of death

                   7-10       Year of death

  03               3          Type of benefit\
                              1 for old age\
                              2 for survivor\
                              3 for disability\
                              4 for Social Security Statement

                   4-5        Month of entitlement

                   6-9        Year of entitlement

  04               3-4        Month of benefit

                   5-8        Year of benefit

  05               3-4        Month of operation for Social Security Statement
                              estimate

                   5-6        Planned age of retirement for Social Security Statement
                              estimate

  06               3-6        First year of earnings

                   7-10       Last year of earnings

  07               3          Type of backward projection\
                              0 for no backward projection\
                              1 for projection related to average wage increase\
                              2 for projection by a constant percentage

                   4-9        Backward projection percentage

                   10-13      Last year of earnings in backward projection period

  08               3          Type of forward projection\
                              0 for no forward projection\
                              1 for projection related to average wage increase\
                              2 for projection by a constant percentage

                   4-9        Forward projection percentage

                   10-13      First year of earnings in forward projection period

  09               3-4        Month of onset for most recent period of disability

                   5-6        Day of onset for most recent period of disability

                   7-10       Year of onset for most recent period of disability

                   11-12      Month of entitlement for most recent period of
                              disability

                   13-16      Year of entitlement for most recent period of
                              disability

                   17-18      Month of first month of waiting period for most recent
                              period of disability

                   19-22      Year of first month of waiting period for most recent
                              period of disability

                   23-24      Month of cessation for most recent period of disability

                   25-28      Year of cessation for most recent period of disability

                   29-38      PIA at cessation of most recent period of disability
                              (Optional)

                   39-48      MFB at cessation of most recent period of disability
                              (Optional)

  10               3-4        Month of onset for second most recent period of
                              disability

                   5-6        Day of onset for second most recent period of
                              disability

                   7-10       Year of onset for second most recent period of
                              disability

                   11-12      Month of entitlement for second most recent period of
                              disability

                   13-16      Year of entitlement for second most recent period of
                              disability

                   17-18      Month of first month of waiting period for second most
                              recent period of disability

                   19-22      Year of first month of waiting period for second most
                              recent period of disability

                   23-24      Month of cessation for second most recent period of
                              disability

                   25-28      Year of cessation for second most recent period of
                              disability

                   29-38      PIA at cessation of second most recent period of
                              disability (Optional)

                   39-48      MFB at cessation of second most recent period of
                              disability (Optional)

  11               3-4        Beginning month of first period of military service

                   5-8        Beginning year of first period of military service

                   9-10       Ending month of first period of military service

                   11-14      Ending year of first period of military service

                   15-26      Beginning and ending dates of second period of military
                              service

                   \...       Beginning and ending dates of third through 15th
                              periods of military service

  12               3-12       Monthly noncovered pension

                   13-14      Month of entitlement to noncovered pension

                   15-18      Year of entitlement to noncovered pension

  13               3          Totalization indicator (1 if totalization applies, 0
                              otherwise)

  14               3          Blindness indicator (1 if worker is blind, 0 otherwise)

  15               3          Deemed insured indicator (1 if deemed insured provision
                              applies) 0 otherwise

  16               3-37       Number holder\'s name

  17               3-37       First line of number holder\'s address

  18               3-37       Second line of number holder\'s address

  19               3-37       Third line of number holder\'s address

  20               \*         Type of earnings with 1 position for each year from
                              first year in line 6, or year in line 7 if specified,
                              to last year in line 6, or year in line 8 if specified\
                              0 for entered earnings\
                              1 for maximum\
                              2 for high\
                              3 for average\
                              4 for low

  21               \*         Type of taxes, with 1 position for each year in period
                              specified in line 6\
                              0 for employee taxes\
                              1 for self-employed taxes

  Earnings on                 
  lines 22-29 are             
  for same years              
  for which type              
  of earnings were            
  specified on                
  line 20:                    

  22               \*         First 10 years of OASDI earnings (separated by spaces)

  23               \*         Second 10 years of OASDI earnings (separated by spaces)

  24               \*         Third 10 years of OASDI earnings (separated by spaces)

  25               \*         Fourth 10 years of OASDI earnings (separated by spaces)

  26               \*         Fifth 10 years of OASDI earnings (separated by spaces)

  27               \*         Sixth 10 years of OASDI earnings (separated by spaces)

  28               \*         Seventh 10 years of OASDI earnings (separated by
                              spaces)

  29               \*         Eighth 10 years of OASDI earnings (separated by spaces)

  Earnings on                 
  lines 30-37 are             
  for period                  
  starting with               
  maximum of 1983             
  and first year              
  specified on                
  line 6 and                  
  ending with last            
  year on line 6:             

  30               \*         First 10 years of HI earnings (separated by spaces)

  31               \*         Second 10 years of HI earnings (separated by spaces)

  32               \*         Third 10 years of HI earnings (separated by spaces)

  33               \*         Fourth 10 years of HI earnings (separated by spaces)

  34               \*         Fifth 10 years of HI earnings (separated by spaces)

  35               \*         Sixth 10 years of HI earnings (separated by spaces)

  36               \*         Seventh 10 years of HI earnings (separated by spaces)

  37               \*         Eighth 10 years of HI earnings (separated by spaces)

  38               3-12       Monthly noncovered pension after removal of military
                              reservist pension

  39               3-4        Month of old-age entitlement prior to most recent
                              disability

                   5-8        Year of old-age entitlement prior to most recent
                              disability

                   9-10       Month of old-age termination prior to most recent
                              disability

                   11-14      Year of old-age termination prior to most recent
                              disability

  40               3-6        First year of benefit increase projection

                   7          Benefit increase assumption indicator (1-7 for the 7
                              alternatives listed in the assumptions dialog box)

                   8          Average wage increase assumption indicator (1-7 for the
                              7 alternatives listed in the assumptions dialog box)

                   9          Maximum wage base projection indicator\
                              1 for automatic projection\
                              2 for ad hoc bases

  Benefit                     
  increases on                
  lines 41-44                 
  start in year               
  specified on                
  line 40 and end             
  in year                     
  specified on                
  line 3 (or line             
  4 if specified).            
  Each increase               
  takes 4                     
  positions, with             
  one decimal                 
  place and                   
  leading blanks              
  if required,                
  e.g. \" 4.0\"               
  for a 4-percent             
  benefit                     
  increase.                   

  41               3-6        First benefit increase

                   7-10       Second benefit increase

                   \...       Third through 20th benefit increase

  42               3-82       21st through 40th benefit increase

  43               3-82       41st through 60th benefit increase

  44               3-82       61st through 80th benefit increase

  Catch-up                    
  increases on                
  lines 45-54                 
  start two years             
  after year                  
  specified on                
  line 40. Each               
  increase takes 4            
  positions, with             
  one decimal                 
  place and                   
  leading blanks              
  if required,                
  e.g. \" 4.0\"               
  for a 4-percent             
  benefit                     
  increase.                   

  45               3-6        First catch-up benefit increase for year of eligibility
                              specified on line 40

                   7-10       Second catch-up benefit increase for year of
                              eligibility specified on line 40

                   11-14      Third catch-up benefit increase for year of eligibility
                              specified on line 40

                   15-18      Fourth catch-up benefit increase for year of
                              eligibility specified on line 40

                   19-22      Fifth catch-up benefit increase for year of eligibility
                              specified on line 40

                   23-26      Sixth catch-up benefit increase for year of eligibility
                              specified on line 40

                   27-30      Seventh catch-up benefit increase for year of
                              eligibility specified on line 40

                   31-34      Eighth catch-up benefit increase for year of
                              eligibility specified on line 40

  46               3-34       8 catch-up benefit increases for next year of
                              eligibility after year used in line 45

  47               3-34       8 catch-up benefit increases for next year of
                              eligibility after year used in line 46

  48               3-34       8 catch-up benefit increases for next year of
                              eligibility after year used in line 47

  49               3-34       8 catch-up benefit increases for next year of
                              eligibility after year used in line 48

  50               3-34       8 catch-up benefit increases for next year of
                              eligibility after year used in line 49

  51               3-34       8 catch-up benefit increases for next year of
                              eligibility after year used in line 50

  52               3-34       8 catch-up benefit increases for next year of
                              eligibility after year used in line 51

  53               3-34       8 catch-up benefit increases for next year of
                              eligibility after year used in line 52

  54               3-34       8 catch-up benefit increases for next year of
                              eligibility after year used in line 53

  55               3-67       Title of benefit increase assumptions

  Average wage                
  increases on                
  lines 56-59                 
  start in year               
  before year                 
  specified on                
  line 40 and end             
  in year                     
  specified on                
  line 3 (or line             
  4 if specified).            
  Each increase               
  takes 6                     
  positions, with             
  three decimal               
  places and                  
  leading blanks              
  if required,                
  e.g. \" 4.000\"             
  for a 4-percent             
  average wage                
  increase.                   

  56               3-8        First average wage increase

                   9-14       Second average wage increase

                   \...       Third through 20th average wage increase

  57               3-122      21st through 40th average wage increase

  58               3-122      41st through 60th average wage increase

  59               3-122      61st through 80th average wage increase

  60               3-67       Title of average wage increase assumptions

  Maximum OASDI               
  wage bases on               
  lines 61-64                 
  start in year               
  after year                  
  specified on                
  line 40 and end             
  in year                     
  specified on                
  line 3 (or line             
  4 if specified).            
  Each wage base              
  takes 11                    
  positions, with             
  two decimal                 
  places and                  
  leading blanks              
  if required,                
  e.g. \"                     
  1000000.00\" for            
  a \$1,000,000.00            
  wage base.                  

  61               3-13       First OASDI wage base

                   14-24      Second OASDI wage base

                   \...       Third through 20th OASDI wage bases

  62               3-222      21st through 40th OASDI wage bases

  63               3-222      41st through 60th OASDI wage bases

  64               3-222      61st through 80th OASDI wage bases

  Maximum old-law             
  wage bases on               
  lines 65-68                 
  start in year               
  after year                  
  specified on                
  line 40 and end             
  in year                     
  specified on                
  line 3 (or line             
  4 if specified).            
  Each wage base              
  takes 11                    
  positions, with             
  two decimal                 
  places and                  
  leading blanks              
  if required,                
  e.g. \"                     
  1000000.00\" for            
  a \$1,000,000.00            
  wage base.                  

  65               3-13       First old-law wage base

                   14-24      Second old-law wage base

                   \...       Third through 20th old-law wage bases

  66               3-222      21st through 40th old-law wage bases

  67               3-222      41st through 60th old-law wage bases

  68               3-222      61st through 80th old-law wage bases

  69               3          First family member\'s major beneficiary identification
                              code (bic)\
                              A - primary (old-age or disability)\
                              B - wife or husband (young or aged)\
                              C - child (minor, student, or disabled)\
                              D - aged widow(er)\
                              E - mother or father\
                              F - parent\
                              T - transitionally insured\
                              U - transitionally uninsured\
                              W - disabled widow(er)

                   4          First family member\'s minor beneficiary identification
                              code (bic)\
                              If major bic is B, then:\
                              blank - aged wife or husband\
                              2 - young wife or husband\
                              6 - divorced aged wife or husband\
                              If major bic is D, then:\
                              blank - aged wife or husband\
                              6 - surviving divorced wife or husband\
                              If major bic is W, then:\
                              blank - disabled widow(er)\
                              6 - surviving disabled divorced wife or husband

                   5-6        First family member\'s month of birth

                   7-8        First family member\'s day of birth

                   9-12       First family member\'s year of birth

                   13-14      First family member\'s month of entitlement

                   15-18      First family member\'s year of entitlement

                   19-20      Widow(er)\'s month of disability onset (if major bic is
                              W)

                   21-22      Widow(er)\'s day of disability onset (if major bic is
                              W)

                   23-26      Widow(er)\'s year of disability onset (if major bic is
                              W)

  70               3-26       Data for second family member, as in line 69

  71               3-26       Data for third family member, as in line 69

  72               3-26       Data for fourth family member, as in line 69

  73               3-26       Data for fifth family member, as in line 69

  74               3-26       Data for sixth family member, as in line 69

  75               3-26       Data for seventh family member, as in line 69

  76               3-26       Data for eighth family member, as in line 69

  77               3-26       Data for ninth family member, as in line 69

  78               3-26       Data for 10th family member, as in line 69

  79               3-26       Data for 11th family member, as in line 69

  80               3-26       Data for 12th family member, as in line 69

  81               3-26       Data for 13th family member, as in line 69

  82               3-26       Data for 14th family member, as in line 69

  83               3-26       Data for 15th family member, as in line 69

  84               3-4        Total railroad quarters of coverage, 1937-1950

                   5-15       Total railroad earnings, 1937-1950

  85               3-6        First year of railroad earnings

                   7-10       Last year of railroad earnings

  86               3-29       Annual railroad quarters of coverage, with 1 position
                              for each year from 1951 to 1977

  87               3-112      First 10 years of railroad earnings

  88               3-112      Second 10 years of railroad earnings

  89               3-112      Third 10 years of railroad earnings

  90               3-112      Fourth 10 years of railroad earnings

  91               3-112      Fifth 10 years of railroad earnings

  92               3-112      Sixth 10 years of railroad earnings

  93               3-112      Seventh 10 years of railroad earnings

  94               3-112      Eighth 10 years of railroad earnings

  95               3-5        Total quarters of coverage, 1937-1977

                   6-8        Total quarters of coverage, 1951-1977

  96               \*         Annual quarters of coverage, with 1 position for each
                              year from first year in line 6 to earlier of last year
                              in line 6 or 1977 (0-4)

  97               \*         Annual indicator for childcare year, with 1 position
                              for each year from first year in line 6 to last year in
                              line 6\
                              0 for non-childcare year\
                              1 for childcare year
  ---------------- ---------- -------------------------------------------------------

# Menus

## File menu

### File menu commands

The File menu offers the following commands:

-   New: Creates a new document.

-   Open: Opens an existing document.

-   Save: Saves an opened document using the same file name.

-   Save As: Saves an opened document to a specified file name.

-   Calculate Estimate: Calculate benefit estimate using the current
    data.

-   Page Setup: Review or update top and left margins, and font size, of
    printed report.

-   Print: Prints a document.

-   Print Preview: Displays the document on the screen as it would
    appear printed.

-   Print Setup: Selects a printer and printer connection.

-   Exit: Exits the Social Security Benefit Calculator.

### New command (File menu)

Use this command to create a new case in the Social Security Benefit
Calculator.

You can open an existing document with the Open command.

#### Shortcuts

Toolbar:![](media/image1.png){width="0.3333333333333333in"
height="0.2916666666666667in"}

Keys:CTRL+N

### Open command (File menu)

Use this command to open an existing document.

You can start a new case with the New command.

#### Shortcuts

Toolbar:![](media/image2.png){width="0.30486111111111114in"
height="0.2916666666666667in"}

Keys:CTRL+O

### File Open dialog box

The following options allow you to specify which file to open:

#### File Name

Type or select the filename you want to open. This box lists files with
the extension you select in the List Files of Type box.

#### List Files of Type

Select the type of file you want to open. All cases used in the Social
Security Benefit Calculator should be in files with an extension of
\".pia\".

#### Drives

Select the drive in which in the Social Security Benefit Calculator
stores the file that you want to open.

#### Directories

Select the directory in which in the Social Security Benefit Calculator
stores the file that you want to open.

#### Network\...

Choose this button to connect to a network location, assigning it a new
drive letter.

### Save command (File menu)

Use this command to save the active document to its current name and
directory. When you save a document for the first time, this program
displays the Save As dialog box so you can name your document. If you
want to change the name and directory of an existing document before you
save it, choose the Save As command.

#### Shortcuts

Toolbar:![](media/image3.png){width="0.2916666666666667in"
height="0.25in"}

Keys:CTRL+S

### Save As command (File menu)

Use this command to save and name the active document. This program
displays the Save As dialog box so you can name your document.

To save a document with its existing name and directory, use the Save
command.

### File Save As dialog box

The following options allow you to specify the name and location of the
file you\'re about to save:

#### File Name

Type a new filename to save a document with a different name. A filename
can contain up to eight characters and an extension of up to three
characters. The Social Security Benefit Calculator adds the extension
you specify in the Save File As Type box (currently always \".pia\").

#### Drives

Select the drive in which you want to store the document.

#### Directories

Select the directory in which you want to store the document.

#### Network\...

Choose this button to connect to a network location, assigning it a new
drive letter.

### Calculate Estimate

When you choose \"Calculate Estimate\" from the File menu item, the
benefit is computed for the case for which data has been entered. The
results are presented on the screen. You can print out the results by
choosing Print from the File menu item.

### Page Setup command

#### Page Setup command (File menu)

The \"Page Setup\" menu choice allows you to set the printed report
length, the top and left margins, and the point size. The dialog box has
the following entries:

-   Top margin: Top margin for a printed report.

-   Left margin: Left margin for a printed report.

-   Font size: Font size in points for a printed report.

After you have modified the report length, margins, or font size, the
new values are saved in the Registry. Press Cancel to exit from the
dialog box without saving any new values to the Registry.

#### Top margin (Page Setup dialog)

Enter an amount from 0 to 2 inches. The exact margin that appears on
your printed output may vary slightly from the amount entered here,
depending on how much margin your printer adds.

#### Left margin (Page Setup dialog)

Enter an amount from 0 to 2 inches. The exact margin that appears on
your printed output may vary slightly from the amount entered here,
depending on how much margin your printer adds.

#### Font size (Page Setup dialog)

Enter the font size in points for the printed report. A font size of 10
is recommended, but this may vary for different printers.

### Print command

#### Print command (File menu)

Use this command to print a document. This command presents a Print
dialog box, where you may specify the range of pages to be printed, the
number of copies, the destination printer, and other printer setup
options.

##### Shortcuts

Toolbar:![](media/image4.png){width="0.2916666666666667in"
height="0.25in"}

Keys:CTRL+P

#### Print dialog box

The following options allow you to specify how the document should be
printed:

##### Printer

This is the active printer and printer connection. Choose the Setup
option to change the printer and printer connection.

##### Setup

Displays a Print Setup dialog box, so you can select a printer and
printer connection.

##### Print Range

Specify the pages you want to print:

-   All: Prints the entire document.

-   Selection: Prints the currently selected text.

-   Pages: Prints the range of pages you specify in the From and To
    boxes.

##### Copies

Specify the number of copies you want to print for the above page range.

##### Collate Copies

Prints copies in page number order, instead of separated multiple copies
of each page.

##### Print Quality

Select the quality of the printing. Generally, lower quality printing
takes less time to produce.

#### Print Progress dialog

The Printing dialog box is shown during the time that the Social
Security Benefit Calculator is sending output to the printer. The page
number indicates the progress of the printing.

To abort printing, choose Cancel.

### Print Preview command (File menu)

Use this command to display the active document as it would appear when
printed. When you choose this command, the main window will be replaced
with a print preview window in which one or two pages will be displayed
in their printed format. The print preview toolbar offers you options to
view either one or two pages at a time; move back and forth through the
document; zoom in and out of pages; and initiate a print job.

### Print Preview toolbar

The print preview toolbar offers you the following options:

#### Print

Bring up the print dialog box, to start a print job.

#### Next Page

Preview the next printed page.

#### Prev Page

Preview the previous printed page.

#### One Page / Two Page

Preview one or two printed pages at a time.

#### Zoom In

Take a closer look at the printed page.

#### Zoom Out

Take a larger look at the printed page.

#### Close

Return from print preview to the editing window.

### Print Setup command (File menu)

Use this command to select a printer and a printer connection. This
command presents a Print Setup dialog box, where you specify the printer
and its connection.

### Print Setup dialog box

The following options allow you to select the destination printer and
its connection.

#### Printer

Select the printer you want to use. Choose the Default Printer; or
choose the Specific Printer option and select one of the current
installed printers shown in the box. You install printers and configure
ports using the Windows Control Panel.

#### Orientation

Choose Portrait or Landscape.

#### Paper Size

Select the size of paper that the document is to be printed on.

#### Paper Source

Some printers offer multiple trays for different paper sources. Specify
the tray here.

#### Options

Displays a dialog box where you can make additional choices about
printing, specific to the type of printer you have selected.

#### Network\...

Choose this button to connect to a network location, assigning it a new
drive letter.

### 1, 2, 3, 4 command (File menu)

Use the numbers and filenames listed at the bottom of the File menu to
open the last four cases you closed. Choose the number that corresponds
with the document you want to open.

### Exit command (File menu)

Use this command to end your Social Security Benefit Calculator session.
You can also use the Close command on the application Control menu. This
program prompts you to save documents with unsaved changes.

#### Shortcuts

Mouse:Double-click the application\'s Control menu button.

![](media/image5.png){width="0.6381944444444444in" height="0.69375in"}

Keys:ALT+F4

## Edit menu

### Edit menu commands

The Edit menu offers the following commands:

-   Undo: Reverse previous editing operation.

-   Cut: Deletes data from the document and moves it to the clipboard.

-   Copy: Copies data from the document to the clipboard.

-   Paste: Pastes data from the clipboard into the document.

### Undo/Can\'t Undo command (Edit menu)

(Not currently implemented.)

### Cut command (Edit menu)

(Not currently implemented.)

### Copy command (Edit menu)

(Not currently implemented.)

### Paste command (Edit menu)

(Not currently implemented.)

## View menu

### View menu commands

The View menu offers the following commands:

-   Toolbar: Shows or hides the toolbar.

-   Status Bar: Shows or hides the status bar.

-   Screen settings: Review or update font size for screen output.

### Toolbar command (View menu)

Use this command to display and hide the Toolbar, which includes buttons
for some of the most common commands in this program, such as File Open.
A check mark appears next to the menu item when the Toolbar is
displayed.

See Toolbar for help on using the toolbar.

### Toolbar

![](media/image6.png){width="1.0131944444444445in" height="0.44375in"}

The toolbar is displayed across the top of the application window, below
the menu bar. The toolbar provides quick mouse access to many tools used
in the Social Security Benefit Calculator.

To hide or display the Toolbar, choose Toolbar from the View menu (ALT,
V, T).

#### ClickTo

![](media/image1.png){width="0.3333333333333333in"
height="0.2916666666666667in"}Open a new case.

![](media/image2.png){width="0.30486111111111114in"
height="0.2916666666666667in"}Open an existing case. The Social Security
Benefit Calculator displays the Open dialog box, in which you can locate
and open the desired file.

![](media/image3.png){width="0.2916666666666667in" height="0.25in"}Save
the active case with its current name. If you have not named the
document, the Social Security Benefit Calculator displays the Save As
dialog box.

![](media/image4.png){width="0.2916666666666667in" height="0.25in"}Print
the active case.

![](media/image7.png){width="0.26319444444444445in" height="0.25in"}
(Not currently implemented.)

![](media/image8.png){width="0.26319444444444445in" height="0.25in"}
(Not currently implemented.)

![](media/image9.png){width="0.26319444444444445in" height="0.25in"}
(Not currently implemented.)

![](media/image10.png){width="0.2916666666666667in" height="0.25in"}
(Not currently implemented.)

### Status Bar command (View menu)

Use this command to display and hide the Status Bar, which describes the
action to be executed by the selected menu item or depressed toolbar
button, and keyboard latch state. A check mark appears next to the menu
item when the Status Bar is displayed.

See Status Bar for help on using the status bar.

### Status Bar

![](media/image11.png){width="4.514583333333333in"
height="0.3333333333333333in"}

The status bar is displayed at the bottom of the Social Security Benefit
Calculator window. To display or hide the status bar, use the Status Bar
command in the View menu.

The left area of the status bar describes actions of menu items as you
use the arrow keys to navigate through menus. This area similarly shows
messages that describe the actions of toolbar buttons as you depress
them, before releasing them. If after viewing the description of the
toolbar button command you wish not to execute the command, then release
the mouse button while the pointer is off the toolbar button.

The right areas of the status bar indicate which of the following keys
are latched down:

#### Indicator Description

CAP: The Caps Lock key is latched down.

NUM: The Num Lock key is latched down.

SCRL: The Scroll Lock key is latched down.

### Font command (View menu)

The \"Font\" menu choice allows you to set the point size for screen
output. The dialog box has the following entry:

-   Font size: Font size in points for screen output.

After you have modified the screen font size, the new value is saved in
the Registry. Press Cancel to exit from the dialog box without saving
any new values to the Registry.

### Font size (Font dialog)

Enter the font size in points for the screen output. A font size of 12
is recommended, but this may vary for different monitors.

## Forms menu

### Forms menu commands

The Forms menu offers the following commands:

-   Worker Info: Basic worker information.

-   Statement Info: Social Security Statement information.

-   Supplemental Worker Info: Supplemental worker information for an
    old-age, disability, or survivor benefit.

-   Disability Info: Disability information.

-   Family Members: Family member information.

-   Military Service: Military service dates.

-   Summary QCs: Total quarters of coverage up to 1977.

-   Assumptions: Assumptions about future benefit increases, average
    wage increases, and wage bases.

-   Benefit Increases: Annual future benefit increases entered by user.

-   Catch-up Increases: Future catch-up benefit increases entered by
    user.

-   Average Wage Increases: Annual future average wage increases entered
    by user.

-   Wage Bases: Annual future present law and old law wage bases entered
    by user.

-   Annual Earnings Info: Earnings information for each year.

### Worker Info form

#### Basic worker information

The basic worker information form has the following entries:

-   Name: Name of person with Social Security earnings.

-   Social Security Number: Social Security number of person with Social
    Security earnings.

-   Date of birth: Date of birth of person with Social Security
    earnings.

-   Date of death: Worker's date of death.

-   Address: Address of beneficiary.

-   Totalization: Indicator for totalization benefit.

-   No regular Social Security earnings: Indicator for no regular Social
    Security earnings (must have some railroad earnings or military
    service).

-   Railroad earnings: Indicator for some railroad earnings.

-   Military service: Indicator for some military service.

-   Medicare-only earnings: Indicator for Medicare-only earnings in some
    years.

-   Blindness: Indicator for statutory blindness where disability
    applies.

-   Deemed insured: Indicator for deemed insured status provision
    applicable in old-age case.

-   Sex of worker: Sex of worker (female or male).

-   Type of benefit: Type of benefit (old-age, survivor, disability, or
    Social Security Statement).

-   Number of family members: Number of family members (other than
    worker).

#### Name of worker (Worker Info form)

Enter the worker\'s name. The name and Social Security number will be
printed on each page of output for other than a Social Security
Statement case, while the name and address will be printed on a letter
transmitting the estimates to the requester of a Social Security
Statement.

#### Social Security number (Worker Info form)

Enter the worker\'s Social Security number, using the three boxes. Three
digits go in the first box, two in the second, and four in the third.

The name and Social Security number will be printed on each page of
output for other than a Social Security Statement case.

#### Date of birth of worker (Worker Info form)

Enter the month (1-12), day (1-31), and year (4 digits) of birth of the
worker, separated by slashes. Even if you are calculating the benefit
for an auxiliary or survivor beneficiary, you should enter the worker\'s
date of birth.

You may notice some odd results for workers born on the first day of the
month, and particularly on the first day of January. This is because the
Social Security law is written in terms of \"attainment\" of a certain
age, and an age is \"attained\" on the day before a birthday.

#### Date of death (Worker Info form)

This field is available if you choose survivor as the type of benefit.
Enter the month (1-12), day (1-31), and year (4 digits) of death,
separated by slashes. The date of death must not be after the date of
entitlement of any family member (entered in the Family Members form),
or an error message will appear.

#### Address of worker (Worker Info form)

Enter the worker\'s address, using up to three lines. The name and
address will be printed on a letter transmitting the estimates to the
requester of a Social Security Statement.

#### Earnings projections (Worker Info form)

If you do not know the actual earnings for all years, you may want to
enter earnings for some years and project earnings prior to the first
year entered and/or after the last year entered. The benefit calculated
with projected earnings will of course be only approximate, to the
extent that the projected earnings differ from the actual earnings for
those years.

Check the backward projection box if you want to project earnings prior
to the first year of entered earnings. Check the forward projection box
if you want to project earnings after the last year of entered earnings.
The Supplemental Worker Info form will ask you for the years for which
earnings are projected backward or forward, and for the type of
projection.

The backward projection option is automatically deselected and the
forward projection option is automatically selected in a Social Security
Statement case; earnings are projected after the current year at a
constant level.

#### Totalization benefit (Worker Info form)

Check the radio button if you are requesting a totalization benefit.
However, be aware that even if you are not eligible for totalization
benefits, the program will calculate a hypothetical benefit which is
generally greater than the non-totalization benefit which would actually
be payable. Therefore, do not select the totalization button if you are
not eligible for totalization.

If you check this button, you must enter annual earnings and quarters of
coverage, beginning with the first year of earnings (even if before
1950). The figures must be accurate to produce an accurate totalization
benefit.

#### No regular Social Security earnings (Worker Info form)

Most earnings used to compute a Social Security benefit are \"regular\"
earnings; that is, employer/employee (FICA) or self-employment (SECA)
taxes were paid on them. However, there are two other types of earnings
or credits which may be added to regular earnings to compute a
benefit: 1) railroad earnings, and 2) military service wage credits.

It is also possible that a worker would have no regular earnings, and
would have only railroad earnings and/or military service wage credits.
In that case, check this box. Note that if you check this box, you must
also check one of the next two boxes: railroad earnings and military
service.

#### Railroad earnings (Worker Info form)

The Railroad Retirement system developed out of the private pension
systems established by the various railroads. It set up a system of
benefits (annuities) for railroad employees and their dependents and
survivors. Railroad employees and their employers do not pay Social
Security taxes on their railroad earnings, but the railroad retirement
system has been coordinated with the Social Security system to provide a
total system of retirement, auxiliary, survivor, and disability benefits
payable on the basis of an individual's work in the railroad industry
and in employment and self-employment covered by Social Security.

Railroad compensation can be used as covered earnings when computing a
Social Security benefit if the worker had less than 10 years of railroad
service. If railroad earnings are applicable, check this box. Enter the
first and last years of railroad earnings in the boxes provided. The
annual earnings form will then have an entry for railroad earnings for
each year in the period specified.

#### Periods of military service (Worker Info form)

Military service wage credits are given to certain people with military
earnings. Check this box if there are any applicable periods of military
service. Enter the number of distinct periods of military service (up to
15) in the box provided.

#### Medicare-only earnings (Worker Info form)

There are two types of cases where a worker may pay Medicare taxes on
earnings on which Social Security taxes are not paid: 1) since 1983,
some categories of employees (such as some Federal, State, and local
government employees) have been covered by Medicare and not by Social
Security, and 2) since 1991, the maximum earnings taxed for Medicare
have been higher than the maximum taxed for Social Security. Workers
earning more than the Social Security maximum paid Medicare tax only on
earnings above the Social Security maximum, up to the Medicare maximum
(through 1993), or on all earnings (since 1994).

Earnings taxed by Medicare and not by Social Security do not affect the
Social Security benefit calculation. However, if you wish to calculate
Social Security and Medicare taxes accurately, you should enter any
earnings taxed by Medicare only.

Check the radio button for the first type of worker, in which case you
will be able to enter the Medicare earnings in the Annual Earnings Info
form. You do not need to check the button for the second type of worker,
since you can enter the full amount of earnings, including earnings
above the Social Security base, in the Annual Earnings Info form. If you
prefer, you can check the button for the second type of worker, enter
earnings up to the Social Security wage base as Social Security
earnings, and enter the excess earnings above the Social Security base
as Medicare earnings.

#### Blindness indicator (Worker Info form)

A statutorily blind worker does not need to meet the \"20/40\" or
\"special insured status\" test in order to be insured for disability
benefits. The worker does need to be fully insured in the quarter he/she
becomes disabled, or at some time thereafter.

#### Deemed insured status (Worker Info form)

Certain employees of nonprofit employers which were extended coverage
effective January 1, 1984 because of the 1983 amendments can be deemed
to be fully insured with fewer quarters of coverage than are ordinarily
required, if they are earned after 1983. The number of quarters of
coverage required is shown in the following table:

  -------------------------------------------- --------------------------
  Worker Who, on January 1, 1984 is:           The Number of Quarters of
                                               Coverage Required is:

  Age 60 or over (born on or before January 2, 6
  1924)                                        

  Age 59 or over but less than age 60 (born    8
  January 3, 1924 through January 2, 1925)     

  Age 58 or over but less than age 59 (born    12
  January 3, 1925 through January 2, 1926)     

  Age 57 or over but less than age 58 (born    16
  January 3, 1926 through January 2, 1927)     

  Age 55 or over but less than age 57 (born    20
  January 3, 1927 through January 2, 1929)     
  -------------------------------------------- --------------------------

#### Sex of worker (Worker Info form)

Choose Female or Male for the sex of the worker. The sex of the worker
does not matter for current and future retirees, but it does matter for
some historical cases.

#### Type of benefit (Worker Info form)

Choose one of the following:

-   Old-age: Old-age benefit (for a fully insured worker beginning at
    about age 62 or later).

-   Survivor: For a survivor of a deceased fully insured worker.

-   Disability: For a disabled disability insured worker under full
    retirement age.

-   Social Security Statement: Social Security Statement (includes
    old-age, survivor and disability estimates).

For more information about the types of benefits available under Social
Security, see the OASDI Digest.

#### Old-age benefit (Worker Info form)

To be entitled to old-age benefits, a claimant must be fully insured,
have attained age 62, and have filed an application for benefits. An
application is not required if the claimant is entitled to disability
insurance benefits for the month before the month in which he or she
reaches full retirement age.

#### Disability benefit (Worker Info form)

To be entitled to disability insurance benefits, a claimant must meet
the disability insured status tests, have filed an application, and be
disabled. Disability insurance benefits are payable only after a waiting
period of 5 full calendar months of disability. However, if an
individual was previously entitled to a disability insurance benefit
within the 5 years before the month his/her current disability began, no
waiting period is required.

#### Survivor benefit (Worker Info form)

Types of survivor benefits:

-   Child: Child beneficiary.

-   Mother or Father: Parent of a child beneficiary.

-   Disabled widow(er): Disabled widow(er) (aged 50-59).

-   Divorced disabled widow(er): Divorced disabled widow(er) (aged
    50-59).

-   Aged widow(er): Aged widow(er) (aged 60 or over).

-   Divorced aged widow(er): Divorced aged widow(er) (aged 60 or over).

#### Social Security Statement (Worker Info form)

If you choose Social Security Statement, the data that you will enter
will have to meet the specifications required by the Statement, as
described in the help for each item in the Statement Info form. The
output will consist of all the benefit estimates (old-age, survivor, and
disability) shown on an official Social Security Statement.

For more information about the Social Security Statement, see Obtaining
a Social Security Statement.

#### Number of family members (Worker Info form)

The possible entries in this field depend on your choice of type of
benefit:

-   If you choose old-age or disability as the type of benefit, you can
    calculate benefits for family members (spouse and/or children), in
    addition to the worker\'s benefit. Enter the number of family
    members other than the worker. Possible values are 0 to 15.

-   If you choose survivor as the type of benefit, you must calculate
    one or more benefits for family members (surviving spouse, surviving
    disabled spouse, and/or children), since there is no primary
    benefit. Enter the number of surviving family members. Possible
    values are 1 to 15.

-   If you choose Social Security Statement as the type of benefit, no
    calculations are done for family members. Enter 0.

### Statement Info form

#### Statement information form

The Statement information form is available if you specified Social
Security Statement as the type of benefit in the basic worker
information form. The Statement information form has the following
entries:

-   Planned age of retirement: When the worker plans to retire.

-   First year of earnings: Worker's first year of earnings.

-   Amount of monthly noncovered pension: Amount of monthly noncovered
    pension.

-   Date of entitlement for noncovered pension: Date of entitlement for
    noncovered pension.

-   Month of processing: Month in which this case is being or was
    processed.

#### Planned age of retirement (Statement Info form)

Enter the age shown on the Social Security Statement, if you are trying
to reproduce an official Social Security Statement. Otherwise, enter the
age at which the worker plans to retire.

#### First year of earnings (Statement Info form)

Enter the first year for which the worker had any earnings. This must be
less than the current year. It must be no less than the year of birth,
or 1937, if later. Because of a program limitation, if the year of birth
is greater than 1936, then the first year of earnings must be at least
1951.

If there are any pre-1951 earnings, you can enter 1950 and enter the
total pre-1951 earnings for 1950.

The last year of earnings will automatically be set to the year after
the current year. This allows for two lag years of earnings, in the
current year and the year prior to the current year, and one year for
estimated future earnings, in the year after the current year.

#### Amount of monthly noncovered pension for Statement

A modified benefit formula (the Windfall Elimination Provision, or WEP)
generally is used to compute benefits for persons entitled to both a
pension based on employment after 1956 not covered by Social Security
and a Social Security retirement or disability benefit. However, the
difference between the Social Security benefit computed under the
modified formula and the Social Security benefit under the regular
formula cannot be greater than one-half the amount of the noncovered
pension for the first month of entitlement for both the pension and the
Social Security benefit.

Note that when you are preparing a Social Security Statement estimate,
the official Social Security Statement system does not consider the
effect of a noncovered pension. Therefore, if you want to reproduce an
official Social Security Statement estimate, you should enter 0 in this
field. On the other hand, if you received an official Social Security
Statement and you would like to see the effect of considering a
noncovered pension, enter it here.

For Federal workers who elected into FERS and thus are entitled to a
pension split between the CSRS and FERS retirement systems, only that
part of the pension attributable to the CSRS is a noncovered pension.

For more information about the Windfall Elimination Provision, see the
OASDI Digest.

#### Date of entitlement for noncovered pension for Statement

A modified benefit formula (the Windfall Elimination Provision, or WEP)
generally is used to compute benefits for persons entitled to both a
pension based on employment after 1956 not covered by Social Security
and a Social Security retirement or disability benefit. See Amount of
monthly noncovered pension for the field to enter the amount of pension.

The WEP is effective beginning with the first month for which the worker
is entitled to both the Social Security benefit and the noncovered
pension. Enter the month (1-12) and year (4 digits), separated by a
slash, when the worker is first entitled to the noncovered pension. This
field is ignored if the amount of noncovered pension is 0.

For more information about the Windfall Elimination Provision, see the
OASDI Digest.

#### Month of processing (Statement Info form)

Select the month that this case was processed by the official Social
Security Statement system, if you are trying to reproduce an official
Social Security Statement. Otherwise, enter the current month.

This entry allows you to prepare backdated Social Security Statement
estimates. You must be careful, however, if you try to prepare a Social
Security Statement estimate for a previous calendar year. For instance,
if this is January 2000 and you are trying to reproduce an official
Social Security Statement produced in October 1999, you will first have
to change the computation year to 1999.

The worker must be under age 65 as of the month of processing for a
Social Security Statement to be produced. Otherwise, the program will
ask that the data be re-entered.

### Supplemental Worker Info form

#### Supplemental worker information

The supplemental worker information form is available if you specified
old-age, survivor, or disability as the type of benefit in the basic
worker information form. The supplemental worker information form has
the following entries:

-   Date of entitlement: Date of entitlement to benefit.

-   Calculate benefit after initial entitlement: Calculate benefit after
    initial entitlement.

-   Date of benefit: Date for which benefit is being calculated.

-   First year of specified earnings: First year of specified earnings
    (before earnings are projected backward).

-   Last year of specified earnings: Last year of specified earnings
    (before earnings are projected forward).

-   Type of backward projection: Type of projection used to project
    earnings backwards.

-   First year of earnings in backward projection period: Year to which
    earnings are projected backward.

-   Backward projection percentage factor: Percentage factor used when
    projecting earnings backwards.

-   Type of forward projection: Type of projection used to project
    earnings forwards.

-   Last year of earnings in forward projection period: Year to which
    earnings are projected forward.

-   Forward projection percentage factor: Percentage factor used when
    projecting earnings forwards.

-   Amount of monthly noncovered pension: Amount of monthly noncovered
    pension.

-   Date of entitlement for noncovered pension: Date of entitlement for
    noncovered pension.

-   Number of periods of disability: Number of periods of disability
    that this worker had.

#### Date of entitlement (Supplemental Worker Info form)

Enter the month (1-12) and year (4 digits) of initial entitlement,
separated by a slash. This is the month that old-age or disability
benefits started. The year of entitlement must be between 1940 and 2080,
inclusive. This will also be the date of the benefit, if you specified
that the benefit was to be calculated as of initial entitlement.

For old-age benefits, the month and year of entitlement cannot be before
age 62 and 1 month unless the date of birth is on the first or second
day of the month, in which case the initial month of entitlement can be
as early as the month of the 62nd birthday.

This field is not available when calculating survivor benefits. Instead,
the date of entitlement is entered for each survivor in the Family
Members form.

For more information on date of entitlement, see the OASDI Digest.

#### Calculate benefit after initial entitlement (Supplemental Worker Info form)

This box is available in an old-age or disability case, where the worker
starts receiving a benefit at initial entitlement, and you might want to
know the amount of the benefit at a later date. Do not check this box if
you want a benefit at initial entitlement; check it for a benefit after
initial entitlement. The actuarial reduction or delayed retirement
credit will be calculated as of the date of initial entitlement. For
example, if someone is retiring at age 62 in March 1999, and you want to
estimate the benefit as of March 1999, enter a date of entitlement of
March 1999 and do not check this box. If you want to know what the
benefit will be in March 2002 (at age 65), after benefits have been
received for 3 years, leave March 1999 as the date of entitlement, check
this box, and enter March 2002 as the date of benefit. In either case,
the benefit estimate will reflect 3 years of reduction. If you want to
know what the benefit would be if retirement were delayed until March
2002, enter March 2002 as the date of entitlement and do not check this
box. In that case, the benefit estimate will not reflect any reduction
for age.

In most cases, the calculated PIA (the full benefit before reduction or
increment for age) does not depend on how long the beneficiary has been
receiving a benefit. In the benefit estimate program, there is only one
place where the initial entitlement date affects the PIA: the DI 1-for-5
dropout year rule applies only if initial entitlement was after June
1980. In addition to the PIA, the MFB is affected by the DI maximum
family benefit only if initial entitlement was after that same date.

The actual benefit payable, on the other hand, is affected by the date
of initial entitlement in most cases. For example, if you want an
old-age benefit at age 65, but initial entitlement was at age 62, the
benefit will be affected by three years of reduction.

This box is unavailable in a survivor case. Instead, you must enter the
date of benefit in this form, and the date of entitlement of each
survivor in in the Family Members form.

#### Date of benefit (Supplemental Worker Info form)

This field is available if you specified that the benefit was to be
calculated at a date after initial entitlement (see Calculate benefit
after initial entitlement). Enter the month (1-12) and year (4 digits)
for which the benefit is to be calculated, separated by a slash. The
date of the benefit must not be before the date of initial entitlement.

#### First year of specified earnings (Supplemental Worker Info form)

If you are not projecting earnings backwards, enter the first year for
which the worker had any earnings. The year must be less than 2080. It
must be no less than the year of birth, or 1937, if later. Because of a
program limitation, if the year of birth is greater than 1936, then the
first year of earnings must be at least 1951.

If you are projecting earnings backwards, enter the first year for which
you wish to enter earnings. Earnings prior to that year will be
projected backwards.

If there are any pre-1951 earnings, you can usually enter 1950 and enter
the total pre-1951 earnings for 1950. However, in the following two
cases, you should enter the actual first year of earnings, even if less
than 1950:

-   the applicable old-start calculation is prior to the simplified 1967
    old-start, or

-   the type of earnings is Maximum, Average, or Low for any year prior
    to 1951.

#### Last year of specified earnings (Supplemental Worker Info form)

If you are not projecting earnings forwards, enter the last year for
which the worker had any earnings. This must be greater than or equal to
the first year of specified earnings, and no more than 2080. A maximum
of 80 years of earnings is allowed. You can enter a year after the
entitlement date, but any earnings after the last allowable year will be
ignored in the benefit computation.

If you are projecting earnings forwards, enter the last year for which
you wish to enter earnings. Earnings after that year will be projected
forwards.

#### Type of backward projection (Supplemental Worker Info form)

These three radio buttons allow you to project earnings backwards. The
choices are:

-   no backward projection, or

-   by the percentage increase in average wages for each year, plus a
    constant salary scale percentage, or

-   by a constant percentage.

#### No backward earnings projection (Supplemental Worker Info form)

If you do not know the actual earnings for all years, you may want to
enter earnings for some years and project earnings prior to the first
year entered and/or after the last year entered. The benefit calculated
with projected earnings will of course be only approximate, to the
extent that the projected earnings differ from the actual earnings for
those years.

Check this button if you do not want to project earnings prior to the
first year of entered earnings.

#### Backward projection in line with average wage increases (Supplemental Worker Info form)

Earnings may be projected backward by one of two methods:

-   by the percentage increase in average wages for each year, plus a
    constant salary scale percentage, or

-   by a constant percentage.

Choose \"In line with average wage increases\" to project backward by a
percentage related to the growth in average wages, or \"Constant
percentage increase\" to project backward by a constant percentage.

Check this button if you want to project earnings prior to the first
year of entered earnings in line with average wage increases. You can
then specify the years for which earnings are projected backward, and
the percentage to be added to the average wage increase.

#### Backward projection by a constant percentage (Supplemental Worker Info form)

Earnings may be projected backward by one of two methods:

-   by the percentage increase in average wages for each year, plus a
    constant salary scale percentage, or

-   by a constant percentage.

Choose \"In line with average wage increases\" to project backward by a
percentage related to the growth in average wages, or \"Constant
percentage increase\" to project backward by a constant percentage.

Check this button if you want to project earnings prior to the first
year of entered earnings by a constant percentage. You can then specify
the years for which earnings are projected backward, and the constant
percentage.

#### First year of earnings in backwards projection period (Supplemental Worker Info form)

This prompt is available if you are projecting earnings backwards. Enter
the first year of the backward projection period (the first year of
earnings, after earnings are projected backwards). This must be less
than or equal to the first year of specified earnings.

#### Backward projection percentage factor (Supplemental Worker Info form)

This prompt is available if you are projecting earnings backwards. The
meaning of the value entered at this prompt depends on the type of
backward projection:

-   If you chose \"In line with average wage increases\", this is the
    percentage increase to be added to the percentage increase in
    average wages in each year.

-   If you chose \"Constant percentage increase\", this is the constant
    percentage increase used to project backwards.

#### Type of forward projection (Supplemental Worker Info form)

These three radio buttons allow you to projecting earnings forwards. The
choices are:

-   no forward projection, or

-   by the percentage increase in average wages for each year, plus a
    constant salary scale percentage, or

-   by a constant percentage.

#### No forward earnings projection (Supplemental Worker Info form)

If you do not know the actual earnings for all years, you may want to
enter earnings for some years and project earnings prior to the first
year entered and/or after the last year entered. The benefit calculated
with projected earnings will of course be only approximate, to the
extent that the projected earnings differ from the actual earnings for
those years.

Check the box if you want to project earnings after the last year of
entered earnings. The Supplemental Worker Info form will ask you for the
years for which earnings are projected forward, and for the type of
projection.

#### Forward projection in line with average wage increases (Supplemental Worker Info form)

Earnings may be projected forward by one of two methods:

-   by the percentage increase in average wages for each year, plus a
    constant salary scale percentage, or

-   by a constant percentage.

Choose \"In line with average wage increases\" to project forward by a
percentage related to the growth in average wages, or \"Constant
percentage increase\" to project forward by a constant percentage.

Check this button if you want to project earnings after the last year of
entered earnings in line with average wage increases. You can then
specify the years for which earnings are projected forward, and the
percentage to be added to the average wage increase.

#### Forward projection by a constant percentage (Supplemental Worker Info form)

This button is available if you are projecting earnings forwards.
Earnings may be projected forward by one of two methods:

-   by the percentage increase in average wages for each year, plus a
    constant salary scale percentage, or

-   by a constant percentage.

Choose \"In line with average wage increases\" to project forward by a
percentage related to the growth in average wages, or \"Constant
percentage increase\" to project forward by a constant percentage.

Check this button if you want to project earnings after the last year of
entered earnings by a constant percentage. You can then specify the
years for which earnings are projected forward, and the constant
percentage.

#### Last year of earnings in forward projection period (Supplemental Worker Info form)

This prompt is available if you are projecting earnings forwards. Enter
the last year of the forward projection period (the last year of
earnings, after earnings are projected forwards). This must be greater
than or equal to the last year of specified earnings.

#### Forward projection percentage factor (Supplemental Worker Info form)

This prompt is available if you are projecting earnings forwards. The
meaning of the value entered at this prompt depends on the type of
forward projection:

-   If you chose \"In line with average wage increases\", this is the
    percentage increase to be added to the percentage increase in
    average wages in each year.

-   If you chose \"Constant percentage increase\", this is the constant
    percentage increase used to project forwards.

#### Amount of monthly noncovered pension

A modified benefit formula (the Windfall Elimination Provision, or WEP)
generally is used to compute benefits for persons entitled to both a
pension based on employment after 1956 not covered by Social Security
and a Social Security retirement or disability benefit. However, the
difference between the Social Security benefit computed under the
modified formula and the Social Security benefit under the regular
formula cannot be greater than one-half the amount of the noncovered
pension for the first month of entitlement for both the pension and the
Social Security benefit.

For Federal workers who elected into FERS and thus are entitled to a
pension split between the CSRS and FERS retirement systems, only that
part of the pension attributable to the CSRS is a noncovered pension.

This field is not available if you are preparing a survivor benefit;
survivor benefits are not affected by a noncovered pension.

For more information about the Windfall Elimination Provision, see the
OASDI Digest.

#### Date of entitlement for noncovered pension (Supplemental Worker Info form)

A modified benefit formula (the Windfall Elimination Provision, or WEP)
generally is used to compute benefits for persons entitled to both a
pension based on employment after 1956 not covered by Social Security
and a Social Security retirement or disability benefit. See Amount of
monthly noncovered pension for the field to enter the amount of pension.

The WEP is effective beginning with the first month for which the worker
is entitled to both the Social Security benefit and the noncovered
pension. Enter the month (1-12) and year (4 digits), separated by a
slash, when the worker is first entitled to the noncovered pension. This
field is ignored if the amount of noncovered pension is 0.

This field is not available if you are preparing a survivor benefit;
survivor benefits are not affected by a noncovered pension.

For more information about the Windfall Elimination Provision, see the
OASDI Digest.

#### Number of periods of disability (Supplemental Worker Info form)

This program can handle up to 2 periods of disability when calculating a
benefit. For an old-age or survivor case, enter 0, 1, or 2. For a
disability case, there must be at least 1 period of disability (for the
current benefit). Enter 1 or 2.

Prior disability is not considered in a Social Security Statement case.

### Disability Info form

#### Disability information

The disability information form is available if you are requesting a
disability case, or if you specified that there was a prior disability
in an old-age or survivor case. The disability information form has the
following entries:

Most recent period of disability:

-   Date of onset: Date of onset of most recent disability.

-   Date of entitlement: Date of entitlement of most recent disability.

-   Date of cessation: Date of cessation of most recent disability.

-   First month of waiting period: First month of waiting period of most
    recent disability.

-   PIA at cessation: PIA at cessation of most recent disability.

-   MFB at cessation: MFB at cessation of most recent disability.

Next most recent period of disability:

-   Date of onset: Date of onset of next most recent disability.

-   Date of entitlement: Date of entitlement of next most recent
    disability.

-   Date of cessation: Date of cessation of next most recent disability.

-   First month of waiting period: First month of waiting period of next
    most recent disability.

-   PIA at cessation: PIA at cessation of next most recent disability.

-   MFB at cessation: MFB at cessation of next most recent disability.

#### Date of onset - most recent disability (Disability Info form)

This field is available if you are requesting a disability case, or if
you specified that there was a prior disability in an old-age or
survivor case. Enter the month (1-12), day (1-31), and year (4 digits)
of disability onset, separated by slashes. The date of onset must not be
after the date of entitlement, or an error message will appear.

#### Date of entitlement - most recent disability (Disability Info form)

This field is available if you are requesting a disability case, or if
you specified that there was a prior disability in an old-age or
survivor case. The date of prior disability entitlement affects the
applicability of the DI 1-for-5 dropout year rule, as explained under
Date of benefit (Worker Info form). Enter the month (1-12) and year (4
digits) of entitlement to disability benefits, separated by a slash.

#### Date of cessation - most recent disability (Disability Info form)

This field is available if you specified that there was a prior
disability in an old-age or survivor case. The date of cessation is the
earliest of the following:

-   the month in which the worker dies;

-   the month the worker attains normal retirement age (currently age
    65); or

-   the third month after the month the disability ceases.

The date of cessation affects the number of years which may be excluded
from the benefit computation. Enter the month (1-12) and year (4 digits)
of cessation to disability benefits, separated by a slash.

#### First month of waiting period - most recent disability (Disability Info form)

This field is available if you are requesting a disability case, or if
you specified that there was a prior disability in an old-age or
survivor case. In general, there is a 5-month waiting period between the
disability onset date and the date of entitlement to a disability
benefit. The waiting period starts with the first full month of
disability, which is the month after the month of onset unless onset is
on the first day of the month. You do not need to have a full 5-month
waiting period for this program to furnish a computation. Enter the
month (1-12) and year (4 digits) of the first month of the waiting
period, separated by a slash.

#### PIA at cessation - most recent disability (Disability Info form)

This field is available if you specified that there was a prior
disability in an old-age or survivor case. Enter the PIA at the date of
cessation of the prior period of disability. This may become the minimum
PIA for the current entitlement, based on the disability guarantee
calculation.

#### MFB at cessation - most recent disability (Disability Info form)

This field is available if you specified that there was a prior
disability in an old-age or survivor case. Enter the MFB at the date of
cessation of the prior period of disability. This may become the minimum
MFB for the current entitlement, based on the disability guarantee
calculation.

#### Date of onset - next most recent disability (Disability Info form)

This field is available if you specified that there were two periods of
disability. Enter the month (1-12), day (1-31), and year (4 digits) of
next most recent disability onset, separated by slashes. This date of
onset must be before the following date of onset, or an error message
will appear.

#### Date of entitlement - next most recent disability (Disability Info form)

This field is available if you specified that there were two periods of
disability. The date of prior disability entitlement affects the
applicability of the DI 1-for-5 dropout year rule, as explained under
Date of benefit (Worker Info form). Enter the month (1-12) and year (4
digits) of entitlement to disability benefits for this disability onset,
separated by a slash.

#### Date of cessation - next most recent disability (Disability Info form)

This field is available if you specified that there were two periods of
disability. The date of cessation is the third month after the month the
disability ceases.

The date of cessation affects the number of years which may be excluded
from the benefit computation. Enter the month (1-12) and year (4 digits)
of cessation to disability benefits for this disability onset, separated
by a slash.

#### First month of waiting period - next most recent disability (Disability Info form)

This field is available if you specified that there were two periods of
disability. In general, there is a 5-month waiting period between the
disability onset date and the date of entitlement to a disability
benefit. The waiting period starts with the first full month of
disability, which is the month after the month of onset unless onset is
on the first day of the month. You do not need to have a full 5 month
waiting period for this program to furnish a computation. Enter the
month (1-12) and year (4 digits) of the first month of the waiting
period, separated by a slash.

#### PIA at cessation - next most recent disability (Disability Info form)

This field is available if you specified that there were two periods of
disability. Enter the PIA at the date of cessation of the prior period
of disability. This may become the minimum PIA for the most recent
disability benefit, which in turn could affect the PIA for the current
entitlement, based on the disability guarantee calculation.

#### MFB at cessation - next most recent disability (Disability Info form)

This field is available if you specified that there were two periods of
disability. Enter the MFB at the date of cessation of the prior period
of disability. This may become the minimum MFB for the most recent
disability benefit, which in turn could affect the MFB for the current
entitlement, based on the disability guarantee calculation.

### Family Members form

#### Family Member Information

The family member information form has the following entries:

-   Date of birth: Family member's date of birth.

-   Date of entitlement: Family member's date of entitlement.

-   Type of survivor: Type of survivor (child, mother/father, aged, or
    disabled).

-   Type of life beneficiary: Type of life beneficiary (child, young
    spouse, or aged spouse).

-   Widow(er)'s date of disability onset: Widow(er)'s date of disability
    onset.

-   Previous Family Member: Go to previous family member.

-   Next Family Member: Go to next family member.

#### Family member\'s date of birth (Family Member form)

Enter the month (1-12), day (1-31), and year (4 digits) of birth,
separated by slashes, of this family member.

#### Family member\'s date of entitlement (Family Member form)

Enter the month (1-12) and year (4 digits) of initial entitlement,
separated by a slash, for this family member. This is the month that the
auxiliary or survivor benefits started for this family member. The year
of entitlement must be between 1940 and 2080, inclusive.

Note that the date of benefit in the Supplemental Worker Info form must
be at or after the latest date of entitlement for a family member. For
instance, if a worker becomes entitled to an old-age benefit in January
2003 and the spouse becomes entitled to a spouse benefit in January
2004, you cannot estimate the spouse benefit with a date of benefit
prior to January 2004. Here are some acceptable and not acceptable
alternatives in this case:

-   OK: A worker benefit with entitlement as of January 2003, with a
    benefit date of January 2003, with no family members.

-   OK: A worker benefit with entitlement as of January 2003, with a
    benefit date of January 2004, with no family members.

-   OK: A worker benefit with entitlement as of January 2003, with a
    benefit date of January 2004, with a spouse entitled in January
    2004.

-   OK: A worker benefit with entitlement as of January 2003, with a
    benefit date of January 2005, with a spouse entitled in January
    2004.

-   Not OK: A worker benefit with entitlement as of January 2003, with a
    benefit date of January 2003, with a spouse entitled in January
    2004.

To enter a benefit date that is later than the worker\'s date of
entitlement, click the button for Calculate benefit after initial
entitlement in the Supplemental Worker Info form, then enter a date of
benefit in the Date of benefit box.

#### Type of survivor (Family Members form)

This set of buttons is available if the type of benefit is survivor. The
type of survivor affects the benefit of some survivors where entitlement
is 1985 or later, because starting in that year, the re-indexed
widow(er) guarantee calculation applies, but only to aged or disabled
widow(er) survivors. Choose one of the following:

-   Child: Child beneficiary.

-   Mother or Father: Parent of a child beneficiary.

-   Disabled widow(er): Disabled widow(er) (aged 50-59).

-   Divorced disabled widow(er): Divorced disabled widow(er) (aged
    50-59).

-   Aged widow(er): Aged widow(er) (aged 60 or over).

-   Divorced aged widow(er): Divorced aged widow(er) (aged 60 or over).

For more information on survivor benefits, see the OASDI Digest.

#### Child survivor (Family Member form)

To be entitled to surviving child\'s benefits, an individual must have
filed an application for child\'s benefits and must be:

-   the child of a worker who died fully or currently insured;

-   dependent upon that worker;

-   unmarried; and

-   under age 18, or if age 18 or over, be 1) under a disability which
    began before age 22, or 2) a full-time elementary or secondary
    school student under age 19.

A child entitled to surviving child\'s benefits will be entitled to a
monthly benefit effective with the first month in which all of the above
requirements are met during any part of that month.

For more information on child survivor benefits, see the OASDI Digest.

#### Mother or father beneficiary (Family Member form)

To be entitled to mother or father benefits, a claimant must:

-   be the widow(er) of a worker who died fully or currently insured;

-   not be married;

-   have filed an application for mother\'s or father\'s insurance
    benefits (no application is required if the claimant was entitled to
    spouse\'s benefits for the month before the month the worker died);

-   not be entitled to widow(er) insurance benefits;

-   not be entitled to an old-age benefit equal to or exceeding the
    amount of the unadjusted mother\'s/father\'s benefit; and

-   have in care a child of the deceased worker entitled to a child\'s
    insurance benefit. The child must be under age 16 or be entitled as
    a disabled child.

For more information on mother or father benefits, see the OASDI Digest.

#### Disabled widow(er) (Family Member form)

To be entitled to benefits as the disabled widow(er) of a person who
died fully insured, a claimant must:

-   be the widow or widower of the insured;

-   have attained age 50 but not age 60 and be disabled;

-   be unmarried, unless the marriage occurs after age 50 and in or
    after the month the widow(er) became disabled;

-   have been married to the insured for not less than 9 months
    immediately prior to the day the insured died, unless death was
    accidental or certain other exceptions;

-   have filed an application, or be entitled to spouse or mother or
    father benefits in the month before entitlement to a widow or
    widower benefit.

For more information on disabled widow(er) benefits, see the OASDI
Digest.

#### Divorced disabled widow(er) (Family Member form)

To be entitled to benefits as the surviving divorced disabled spouse, a
claimant must meet the conditions for a disabled widow(er) and:

-   be finally divorced from the deceased, and

-   have been married to the deceased for 10 years immediately before
    the date the final divorce became effective.

For more information on divorced disabled widow(er) benefits, see the
OASDI Digest.

#### Aged widow(er) (Family Member form)

To be entitled to benefits as the nondisabled widow(er) of a person who
died fully insured, a claimant must:

-   be the widow or widower of the insured;

-   have attained age 60;

-   be unmarried, unless the marriage occurs after age 60;

-   have been married to the insured for not less than 9 months
    immediately prior to the day the insured died, unless death was
    accidental or certain other exceptions;

-   have filed an application, or be entitled to spouse or mother or
    father benefits in the month before entitlement to a widow or
    widower benefit;

-   not be entitled to an old-age benefit which exceeds the full
    widow(er)\'s benefit.

For more information on aged widow(er) benefits, see the OASDI Digest.

#### Divorced aged widow(er) (Family Member form)

To be entitled to benefits as the surviving divorced nondisabled spouse,
a claimant must meet the conditions for a nondisabled widow(er) and:

-   be finally divorced from the deceased, and

-   have been married to the deceased for 10 years immediately before
    the date the final divorce became effective.

For more information on divorced aged widow(er) benefits, see the OASDI
Digest.

#### Type of life beneficiary (Family Members form)

This set of buttons is available if the type of benefit is old-age or
disability. Choose one of the following:

-   Child: Child beneficiary.

-   Young wife or husband: Parent of a child beneficiary.

-   Aged spouse: Aged spouse (aged 62 or over).

-   Divorced aged spouse: Divorced aged spouse (aged 62 or over).

For more information on life benefits, see the OASDI Digest.

#### Child life beneficiary (Family Member form)

To be entitled to child\'s benefits as the child of an old-age or
disability beneficiary, an individual must have filed an application for
child\'s benefits and must be:

-   dependent upon that beneficiary;

-   unmarried; and

-   under age 18, or if age 18 or over, be 1) under a disability which
    began before age 22, or 2) a full-time elementary or secondary
    school student under age 19.

A child entitled to child\'s benefits on the record of a living worker
will be entitled to a monthly benefit effective with the first month in
which all of the above requirements are met throughout the entire month.

For more information on child life benefits, see the OASDI Digest.

#### Young wife or husband beneficiary (Family Member form)

To be entitled to benefits as the wife or husband of an insured person
who is entitled to old-age or disability benefits, where the claimant
for the spouse benefits has in care an eligible child throughout the
month of entitlement, that claimant must:

-   be the spouse of the insured;

-   have filed an application;

-   not be entitled to an old-age or disability benefit based on a PIA
    that is equal to or greater than the full wife\'s or husband\'s
    benefit.

In addition to the requirements above, there is a duration of marriage
requirement. A claimant must either:

-   have been married to the worker at least one year; or

-   be the natural parent, along with the worker, of a child; or

-   have been entitled or potentially entitled, in the month before
    marriage, to certain dependent\'s or survivor\'s benefits.

For more information on young wife or husband benefits, see the OASDI
Digest.

#### Aged wife or husband (Family Member form)

To be entitled to benefits as the wife or husband of an insured person
who is entitled to old-age or disability benefits, where the claimant
for the spouse benefits does not have in care an eligible child
throughout the month of entitlement, that claimant must:

-   be the spouse of the insured;

-   have attained age 62;

-   have filed an application;

-   not be entitled to an old-age or disability benefit based on a PIA
    that is equal to or greater than the full wife\'s or husband\'s
    benefit.

In addition to the requirements above, there is a duration of marriage
requirement. A claimant must either:

-   have been married to the worker at least one year; or

-   be the natural parent, along with the worker, of a child; or

-   have been entitled or potentially entitled, in the month before
    marriage, to certain dependent\'s or survivor\'s benefits.

For more information on aged wife or husband benefits, see the OASDI
Digest.

#### Divorced aged wife or husband (Family Member form)

To be entitled to benefits as the divorced wife or husband of an insured
person who is entitled to old-age or disability benefits, a claimant
must:

-   be the divorced spouse of the insured;

-   have been married to the insured for at least 10 years immediately
    before the divorce became final;

-   have attained age 62;

-   have filed an application; and

-   not be entitled to an old-age or disability benefit based on a PIA
    that is equal to or greater than the full wife\'s or husband\'s
    benefit.

A divorced spouse\'s benefit may be paid to the former spouse of an
insured worker (i.e. the worker is not yet entitled) if the claimant
meets the requirements above and has been divorced from the insured
person for at least two years.

For more information on divorced aged wife or husband benefits, see the
OASDI Digest.

#### Widow(er)\'s date of disability onset (Family Member form)

This field is available if you are requesting a survivor case with a
disabled widow(er) as the type of survivor. Enter the month (1-12), day
(1-31), and year (4 digits) of disability onset, separated by slashes.
The date of onset must not be after the date of entitlement, or an error
message will appear.

The widow(er)\'s date of onset, if applicable, affects the amount of the
re-indexed widow(er) guarantee PIA, and the amount of reduction or
increment applied to the PIA to produce the benefit payable.

#### Previous family member (Family Member form)

Click on this button when the information is correct for the family
member displayed and you want to go back and review information for a
prior family member. If you are already viewing information for the
first family member, clicking this button has no effect.

#### Next family member (Family Member form)

Click on this button when the information is correct for the family
member displayed and you want to proceed to the next family member. If
you are already viewing information for the last family member, clicking
this button has no effect.

### Military Service form

#### Military service dates

This form is available if you checked the Has military service check box
and entered a positive figure for the number of periods of military
service. Enter the beginning and ending dates of up to 15 periods of
military service, in order.

Each date must be of the form \"mo/year\" (month and year separated by a
slash), i.e. \"1/1951\" for January 1951. The year must be 4 digits. You
must enter valid dates for all available boxes. If you find that you
have fewer periods of military service than you specified in the Worker
Info form, you must go back and change the figure entered there.

The earliest possible date of military service is September 1940
(9/1940) and the latest is December 2001 (12/2001) (see Military service
wage credits).

### Summary QCs form

#### Summary quarters of coverage information

This form is available if the worker\'s earnings start before 1978, when
earnings records at the Social Security Administration were updated
quarterly.

In 1978 and later, there are no quarterly records; quarters of coverage
are simply calculated by dividing annual earnings by the amount required
for a quarter of coverage, with a maximum of 4 such quarters of
coverage. Before 1978, earnings had to actually be earned in a specific
calendar quarter for that quarter to be a quarter of coverage.
Therefore, this benefit calculator cannot determine quarters of coverage
from annual earnings alone before 1978.

Usually it is sufficient to enter the total number of quarters of
coverage prior to 1978 as a lump sum. For instance, simply entering the
total number of pre-1978 quarters of coverage is sufficient for any
old-age benefit, a survivor benefit where death occurred after 1980, or
a disability benefit where disability occurred after 1987. Here are some
cases where you do need to enter annual quarters of coverage prior to
1978:

-   you checked the totalization button, or

-   you chose survivor as the type of benefit and death occurred prior
    to 1981, or

-   you chose disability as the type of benefit and disability occurred
    prior to 1988, or

-   you checked the military service button, or

-   you checked the railroad earnings button where such earnings
    occurred prior to 1978.

The summary quarters of coverage form has the following entries:

-   Pre-1978 quarters of coverage: Enter as a lump-sum total

-   Pre-1978 quarters of coverage: Enter annual figures

-   Number of quarters of coverage, 1937-1977 inclusive

-   Number of quarters of coverage, 1951-1977 inclusive

#### Enter as a lump-sum total (Summary QCs form)

Check this button if you want to enter pre-1978 quarters of coverage as
a lump-sum total. This is usually allowable, but see Summary quarters of
coverage information for cases where you should enter annual figures.

#### Enter annual figures (Summary QCs form)

Check this button if you want to enter annual pre-1978 quarters of
coverage. It is usually sufficient to enter pre-1978 quarters of
coverage as a lump-sum total, but see Summary quarters of coverage
information for cases where you should enter annual figures.

#### Quarters of coverage, 1937-1977 (Summary QCs form)

This field is available if the worker had any earnings prior to 1978,
and you chose to enter the number of pre-1978 quarters of coverage as a
lump-sum total. Enter the number of quarters of coverage earned in the
years up to and including 1977. If unknown, estimate the number of
quarters of coverage from the annual earnings. You may enter 0, in which
case the program may determine that the worker does not meet
fully-insured status, but will calculate a theoretical benefit even if
uninsured. It is never necessary to enter a number greater than 40,
since that is the maximum number of quarters needed for a retirement or
survivor benefit.

In some cases, entering pre-1978 quarters of coverage simply as a
lump-sum total may produce an incorrect insured status. For more
details, see Summary quarters of coverage information.

#### Quarters of coverage, 1951-1977 (Summary QCs form)

This field is available if the worker had any earnings prior to 1951 and
the worker attained age 22 after 1950. This figure must be less than or
equal to the figure entered for Number of quarters of coverage,
1937-1977 inclusive. It should be as accurate as possible, because
otherwise one of the calculation methods may be applied incorrectly.

In some cases, entering pre-1978 quarters of coverage simply as a
lump-sum total may produce an incorrect insured status. For more
details, see Summary quarters of coverage information.

### Assumptions form

#### Assumptions

The assumptions form has the following entries:

-   Benefit increase assumptions: Choice of seven benefit increase
    assumption sets.

-   Title of benefit increase assumptions: Title of benefit increase
    assumptions when figures are entered by user.

-   Catch-up benefit increase assumptions: Allow or not allow projected
    catch-up benefit increases.

-   Average wage increase assumptions: Choice of seven average wage
    increase assumption sets.

-   Title of average wage increase assumptions: Title of average wage
    increase assumptions when figures are entered by user.

-   Type of projected wage bases: Automatic or ad hoc projected wage
    bases.

#### Benefit increase assumptions (Assumptions form)

Choose one of the seven sets of assumptions to specify what values to
use for unknown future benefit increases. (For a Social Security
Statement calculation, only the fifth and sixth choices are available.)

-   Alternative I: Alternative I set of assumptions from the most recent
    Trustees Report.

-   Alternative II: Alternative II set of assumptions from the most
    recent Trustees Report.

-   Alternative III: Alternative III set of assumptions from the most
    recent Trustees Report.

-   Alternative II-A: No benefit increases after the last known increase
    (formerly alternative II-A set of assumptions from the Trustees
    Report).

-   No future increases: No benefit increases after the last known
    increase.

-   Old PEBES assumptions: No benefit increases after the last known
    increase.

-   Other: User-specified benefit increase for each projected year.

The stored assumptions for the first three selections are initially set
to those from the latest Report of the Board of Trustees of the OASI and
DI Trust Funds (Trustees Report). These assumptions vary for each year
in the future for each alternative assumption, until the benefit
increases reach their ultimate level in about the tenth year of
projection.

Choose the fourth or fifth selection if you do not want any future
benefit increases, as used in official Social Security Statement
(formerly PEBES) calculations beginning in September 1993. The Social
Security Statement calculation is the generally accepted method of
projecting a benefit for official Social Security benefit estimates.

Choose the sixth selection to use the assumptions used in official PEBES
calculations prior to September 1993.

#### Alternative I benefit increase assumptions (Assumptions form)

The stored benefit increases for this selection are initially set to
those from alternative I (low cost) in the latest Report of the Board of
Trustees of the OASI and DI Trust Funds (Trustees Report). These
assumptions vary for each year in the future, until the benefit
increases reach their ultimate level of 1.8 percent in about the tenth
year of projection.

#### Alternative II benefit increase assumptions (Assumptions form)

The stored benefit increases for this selection are initially set to
those from alternative II (intermediate) in the latest Report of the
Board of Trustees of the OASI and DI Trust Funds (Trustees Report).
These assumptions vary for each year in the future, until the benefit
increases reach their ultimate level of 2.8 percent in about the tenth
year of projection.

#### Alternative III benefit increase assumptions (Assumptions form)

The stored benefit increases for this selection are initially set to
those from alternative III (high cost) in the latest Report of the Board
of Trustees of the OASI and DI Trust Funds (Trustees Report). These
assumptions vary for each year in the future, until the benefit
increases reach their ultimate level of 3.8 percent in about the tenth
year of projection.

#### Alternative II-A benefit increase assumptions (Assumptions form)

The stored benefit increases for this selection are initially set to
zero for all years after the last known benefit increase. They were
formerly set to those for alternative II-A from the Report of the Board
of Trustees of the OASI and DI Trust Funds (Trustees Report). Beginning
with the 1991 Report, there is no longer an alternative II-A.

#### No future benefit increases (Assumptions form)

The stored benefit increases for this selection are initially set to
zero for all years after the last known benefit increase, as used in
official Social Security Statement (formerly PEBES) calculations
beginning in September 1993. The Social Security Statement calculation
is the generally accepted method of projecting a benefit for official
Social Security benefit estimates.

#### Old PEBES benefit increase assumptions (Assumptions form)

The stored benefit increases for this selection are initially set to
zero for all years after the last known benefit increase, as used in
official statements of benefits (then known as PEBES) prior to September
1993. This is the same method as used for Social Security Statement
calculations in September 1993 and later. There are two Statement (or
PEBES) selections to be consistent with the average wage increase
assumption selections, where the method did change in September 1993.

#### Other benefit increase assumptions (Assumptions form)

Choose this selection if you want to enter your own set of benefit
increase assumptions. The values can be entered for December of each
year of the next 10 years in the future, and can vary for each of those
years. One value can be entered to apply to all years after the first
10.

#### Title of benefit increase assumptions (Assumptions form)

This field is available if you chose \"Other\" benefit increase
assumptions. The title will appear on the printed output.

#### Catch-up benefit increase assumptions (Assumptions form)

Under the \"stabilizer\" provision of the Social Security law, a benefit
increase may be reduced from what it otherwise would be, in conditions
of low trust fund ratios. If a benefit increase is reduced, \"catch-up\"
benefit increases may be paid in later years to beneficiaries affected
by the initial benefit reduction. (None of the three Trustees Report
alternatives have any catch-up benefit increases.)

The program will assume that there are no future catch-up benefit
increases unless you check this box. It is available only if you choose
\"Other\" benefit increases.

#### Average wage increase assumptions (Assumptions form)

Choose one of the seven sets of assumptions to specify what values to
use for unknown future average wage increases. (For a Social Security
Statement calculation, only the fifth and sixth choices are available.)
The projected PIA formula and MFB formula \"bend points\", and the
amount required for a quarter of coverage, will automatically be
projected in step with the projected average wages.

-   Alternative I: Alternative I set of assumptions from the most recent
    Trustees Report.

-   Alternative II: Alternative II set of assumptions from the most
    recent Trustees Report.

-   Alternative III: Alternative III set of assumptions from the most
    recent Trustees Report.

-   Alternative II-A: No average wage increases after the last known
    average wage (formerly alternative II-A set of assumptions from the
    Trustees Report).

-   No future increases: No average wage increases after the last known
    average wage.

-   Old PEBES assumptions: No average wage increases after the last
    known average wage.

-   Other: User-specified average wage increase for each projected year.

The stored assumptions for the first three selections are initially set
to those from the latest Report of the Board of Trustees of the OASI and
DI Trust Funds. These assumptions vary for each year in the future for
each alternative assumption, until the average wage increases reach
their ultimate level in about the tenth year of projection.

Choose the fourth or fifth selection if you do not want any future
average wage increases, as used in official Social Security Statement
(formerly PEBES) calculations beginning in September 1993. The Social
Security Statement calculation is the generally accepted method of
projecting a benefit for official Social Security benefit estimates.

Choose the sixth selection to use the assumptions used in official PEBES
calculations prior to September 1993.

#### Alternative I average wage increase assumptions (Assumptions form)

The stored average wage increases for this selection are initially set
to those from alternative I (low cost) in the latest Report of the Board
of Trustees of the OASI and DI Trust Funds (Trustees Report). These
assumptions vary for each year in the future, until the average wage
increases reach their ultimate level of 3.4 percent in about the tenth
year of projection.

#### Alternative II average wage increase assumptions (Assumptions form)

The stored average wage increases for this selection are initially set
to those from alternative II (intermediate) in the latest Report of the
Board of Trustees of the OASI and DI Trust Funds (Trustees Report).
These assumptions vary for each year in the future, until the average
wage increases reach their ultimate level of 3.9 percent in about the
tenth year of projection.

#### Alternative III average wage increase assumptions (Assumptions form)

The stored average wage increases for this selection are initially set
to those from alternative III (high cost) in the latest Report of the
Board of Trustees of the OASI and DI Trust Funds (Trustees Report).
These assumptions vary for each year in the future, until the average
wage increases reach their ultimate level of 4.4 percent in about the
tenth year of projection.

#### Alternative II-A average wage increase assumptions (Assumptions form)

The stored average wage increases for this selection are initially set
to zero for all years after the last known average wage. They were
formerly set to those for alternative II-A from the Report of the Board
of Trustees of the OASI and DI Trust Funds (Trustees Report). Beginning
with the 1991 Report, there is no longer an alternative II-A.

#### No future average wage increases (Assumptions form)

The stored average wage increases for this selection are initially set
to zero for all years after the last known average wage, as used in
official Social Security Statement (formerly PEBES) calculations
beginning in September 1993. The Social Security Statement calculation
is the generally accepted method of projecting a benefit for official
Social Security benefit estimates.

#### Old PEBES average wage increase assumptions (Assumptions form)

The stored average wage increases for this selection are initially set
to zero for all years after the last known benefit increase, but there
is a separate real-wage-gain adjustment as used in official statements
of benefits (then known as PEBES) prior to September 1993.

#### Other average wage increase assumptions (Assumptions form)

Choose this selection if you want to enter your own set of average wage
increase assumptions. The values can be entered for each of the next 10
years in the future, and can vary for each of those years. One value can
be entered to apply to all years after the first 10.

#### Title of average wage increase assumptions (Assumptions form)

This field is available if you chose \"Other\" average wage increase
assumptions. The title will appear on the printed output.

#### Trustees Report

The Board of Trustees of the Social Security Trust Funds report each
year on the current and projected financial condition of the Social
Security program, which is financed through two separate trust funds.
The Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund pays monthly
benefits to retired workers (including disabled workers who have reached
normal retirement age) and their families and to survivors of deceased
workers. The Disability Insurance (DI) Trust Fund pays monthly benefits
to disabled workers and their families. The report on the current
financial status of the funds includes an accounting of the actual
income and expenditures for the last year. For future years, the
projections of the trust funds\' financial condition reflect the
Trustees\' considered judgment after review of available evidence and
expert opinion about all the economic and demographic factors that
affect income and expenditures. Projections are presented separately for
the next 10 years (the short range) and for the next 75 years (the long
range).

Although, in general, a greater degree of certainty can be presumed for
projections encompassing the next few years than for a period as long as
the next 75 years, any estimation of the future is uncertain. Therefore,
three alternative sets of economic and demographic assumptions are used
to show a range of possible outcomes for all projections. The
\"intermediate\" set of assumptions, designated as alternative II,
reflects the Trustees\' \"best estimates\" of future experience; the
\"low cost\" alternative I is more optimistic, and the \"high cost\"
alternative III more pessimistic for the trust funds\' future financial
outlook. For both the short range and the long range, however, it is
important to understand that the projections in this report are only an
indication of the expected trend and likely range of future trust fund
experience. Also, all projections are based on the Social Security
program provisions in current law and are not intended to anticipate any
changes in these provisions that might be made in the future.

The 2008 Trustees Report is available at the Social Security
Administration\'s web site at
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/TR/TR08/index.html.

A printed copy of the latest Trustees Report may be obtained by writing
to:

Office of the Actuary\
Room 700 Altmeyer Bldg.\
Baltimore, MD 21235

#### PEBES calculations prior to September 1993

The PEBES calculation for statements prior to September 1993 is
described in the Programs Operations Manual System (POMS), Part 3
(Retirement and Survivors), section 00605.800, \"PIA\'s for Benefit
Estimates\--The Personalized \[sic\] Earnings and Benefit Estimate
Statement (PEBES)\", revised July, 1992.

For the pre-September 1993 PEBES calculation, no benefit increases were
assumed beyond the last actual one. This remains the same for the
September 1993 and later Social Security Statement (formerly PEBES)
calculations.

For the PEBES calculation prior to September 1993, average wages did not
change beyond the last known average wage. However, the PIA and MFB were
adjusted for expected future real-wage gains by applying a factor which
increased the benefit by 1 percent for each year from the current year
to the year of eligibility. For Social Security Statement (formerly
PEBES) calculations in September 1993 and later, the 1-percent factor
was dropped.

#### Type of projected wage bases (Assumptions form)

This box containing two radio buttons is available if you are requesting
a benefit estimate (other than a Social Security Statement calculation)
at a date after the last known maximum earnings base. Choose
\"Automatic\" if you want the wage base to increase in accordance with
the automatic provisions of the law. The wage base increases in step
with the projected average wages (with a 2-year lag), except that the
wage base does not change if there is no benefit increase for that year.
Choose \"Ad hoc\" if you want to enter your own wage bases.

If you are performing a Social Security Statement calculation, the type
of projected wage bases is automatically set to \"Automatic\".

### Projected Benefit Increases form

#### Projected benefit increases

This form is available if you chose \"Other\" for the set of benefit
increase assumptions. You must provide the projected benefit increase
for each year in the 15-year period beginning with the year after the
last known benefit increase. You must also provide an ultimate benefit
increase which is assumed to be effective for each year after the
specified 15-year period.

#### Projected ultimate benefit increase (Benefit Increases form)

Enter the ultimate benefit increase. It will apply for all years after
the 15 specified years. See Projected benefit increases for more
information.

### Catch-up Increases form

#### Catch-up increases

This form is available if you checked the catch-up benefit increase
selection button. You are able to provide catch-up benefit increases for
8 calendar years, for 10 possible years of eligibility. Only values for
one year of eligibility at a time are shown; by clicking on Previous
year of eligibility or Next year of eligibility, you are able to view
and change the values for each year of eligibility from the current year
through the current year plus 9.

#### Year of eligibility (Catch-up Increases form)

The year of eligibility is the earlier of the year of attainment of age
62 or the year of disability onset, if any. In a survivor case, it is
the year of death, if earlier than the year determined in the preceding
sentence.

#### Previous year of eligibility (Catch-up Increases form)

Click on this button when the information is correct for the year of
eligibility displayed and you want to go back and review information for
a prior year of eligibility. If you are already viewing information for
the earliest year available, clicking this button has no effect.

#### Next year of eligibility (Catch-up Increases form)

Click on this button when the information is correct for the year of
eligibility displayed and you want to proceed to the next year of
eligibility. If you are already viewing information for the last year
available, clicking this button has no effect.

### Projected Average Wage Increases form

#### Projected average wage increases

This form is available if you chose \"Other\" for the set of average
wage increase assumptions. You must provide the projected average wage
percentage increase for each year in the 16-year period beginning with
the year after the last known average wage. You must also provide an
ultimate average wage percentage increase which is assumed to be
effective for each year after the specified 16-year period. The average
wage percentage increases are applied cumulatively to the last known
average wage to produce projected average wages.

#### Projected ultimate average wage increase (Average Wage Increases form)

Enter the ultimate average wage percentage increase. It will apply for
all years after the 16 specified years. See Projected average wage
increases for more information.

### Wage Bases form

#### Wage bases form

The wage base form is available if you selected \"Ad hoc\" as the type
of projected wage bases in the assumptions form. The wage base form has
the following entries:

-   Present law wage base: Present law OASDI wage base.

-   Old-law wage base: Old-law wage base.

-   Previous year: Button to jump to previous year.

-   Next year: Button to jump to next year.

You are able to provide present law wage bases and old-law wage bases
for each year after the year of the last known wage base.

#### Wage base (Wage Bases form)

The OASDI wage base limits the earnings on which OASDI taxes are paid
and on which OASDI benefits are based. Under present law, it increases
in proportion to the average wage, but is rounded to a multiple of
\$300. You may enter any value for the wage base, between \$0 and
\$9,999,999.

#### Old-law wage base (Wage Bases form)

The old-law OASDI wage base is necessary in the calculation of the
special-minimum PIA. It increases in the same manner as the regular wage
base. You may enter any value for the old-law wage base, between \$0 and
\$9,999,999.

#### Previous year (Wage Bases form)

Click on this button when the information is correct for the year
displayed and you want to go back and review information for a prior
year. If you are already viewing information for the earliest year
entered, clicking this button has no effect.

#### Next year (Wage Bases form)

Click on this button when the information is correct for the year
displayed and you want to proceed to the next year. If you are already
viewing information for the last year entered, clicking this button has
no effect.

### Annual Earnings Info form

#### Earnings information

The earnings information form has the following entries:

-   Year: Year for which information is being entered.

-   Type of earnings: Type of earnings (entered, maximum, high, average,
    or low).

-   Amount of earnings: Amount of earnings.

-   Type of taxes: Type of taxes (employee or self-employed).

-   Medicare earnings: Amount of Medicare earnings.

-   Quarters of coverage: Quarters of coverage.

-   Previous year: Button to jump to previous year.

-   Next year: Button to jump to next year.

#### Year of earnings (Earnings Info form)

The year displayed in this field changes as you press the \"Previous
Year\" or \"Next Year\" button. You may also choose a year by scrolling
down the drop-down list box. In any case, choices in the remainder of
the form apply to the displayed year.

After all values are correct, you must press \"Previous Year\", \"Next
Year\", or \"OK\" for the data to be accepted. Do not enter another year
directly before pressing one of those buttons; your data will be lost.

#### Type of earnings (Earnings Info form)

This box allows you to choose to enter the amount of earnings, or to
specify one of four earnings levels stored in the program: maximum,
high, average, or low. If you are performing a Social Security Statement
calculation, you must enter earnings for all years; the other four
choices will be unavailable.

-   Entered: Enter the amount of earnings.

-   Maximum Earnings: are the maximum covered in that year.

-   High Earnings: are 160 percent of average.

-   Average Earnings: are equal to the Social Security average wage.

-   Low Earnings: are 45 percent of average.

#### Entered earnings (Earnings Info form)

Click this button if you want to enter the amount of earnings for the
specified year.

#### Amount of earnings (Earnings Info form)

This field is available if you chose \"Entered\" as the type of
earnings. Enter the earnings for the year shown at the top of the form.
Possible values are \$0 to \$9,999,999.99. If there are any pre-1951
earnings, and you entered 1950 as the first year of earnings, enter the
total pre-1951 earnings for 1950.

If you are doing a Social Security Statement calculation, enter the
amount for future earnings in the space for the last year shown (the
year after the computation year). The earnings will automatically be
projected to the date of retirement.

Press the \"Next Year\" button when all entries are correct and there
are more years to enter. Press the \"OK\" button when all years are
entered.

#### Maximum earnings (Earnings Info form)

Click this button if you want the amount of earnings for the specified
year to be equal to the wage base for that year, as shown in the button
text.

#### High earnings (Earnings Info form)

Click this button if you want the amount of earnings for the specified
year to be equal to 160 percent of the Social Security average wage for
that year, as shown in the button text.

#### Average earnings (Earnings form)

Click this button if you want the amount of earnings for the specified
year to be equal to the Social Security average wage for that year, as
shown in the button text.

#### Low earnings (Earnings Info form)

Click this button if you want the amount of earnings for the specified
year to be equal to 45 percent of the Social Security average wage for
that year, as shown in the button text.

#### Type of taxes (Earnings Info form)

This box with two radio buttons allows you to choose the type of taxes
paid on the earnings for each year. Choose \"Employee\" for employee
taxes, or \"Self-employed\" for self-employed taxes. If both kinds of
taxes were paid in one year, choose the one with the greater amount of
earnings taxed.

#### Medicare earnings (Earnings Info form)

This field is available if you checked the button for Some years have
Medicare-only earnings. Enter the amount of Medicare-only earnings.
Possible values are \$0 to \$9,999,999.99.

#### Quarters of coverage (Earnings Info form)

This field is available for years prior to 1978 if you selected Enter
annual figures for pre-1978 quarters of coverage. (It is not available
for years 1978 and later because quarters of coverage are calculated
from annual earnings beginning in 1978.)

If this field is not available for years prior to 1978, total pre-1978
quarters of coverage should be entered in the Summary QCs form.

Possible values are 0 to 4.

#### Childcare years (Earnings Info form)

Check this box if this is a childcare year. A childcare year is a year
in which the worker was living with a child substantially throughout the
year, and the child was under age 3 during at least part of the year.
The child must be the child of the worker or of the worker\'s spouse. In
addition, the childcare indicator is not considered unless there were no
earnings in that year.

The childcare years are not considered in the computation of the benefit
unless the worker was entitled to a disability benefit starting in July
1980 or later, and he/she had less than 3 dropout years.

#### Railroad earnings (Earnings Info form)

This field is available if you checked the button for Has railroad
earnings, and the year shown is between the years specified for railroad
earnings. Enter the amount of railroad earnings. Possible values are \$0
to \$9,999,999.99.

#### Railroad quarters of coverage (Earnings Info form)

This field is available if you checked the button for Has railroad
earnings, the year shown is between the years specified for railroad
earnings, and the year is less than 1978. Enter the number of railroad
quarters of coverage. Possible values are 0 to 4.

#### Previous year (Earnings Info form)

Click on this button when the information is correct for the year
displayed and you want to go back and review information for a prior
year. If you are already viewing information for the earliest year
entered, clicking this button has no effect.

#### Next year (Earnings Info form)

Click on this button when the information is correct for the year
displayed and you want to proceed to the next year. If you are already
viewing information for the last year entered, clicking this button has
no effect.

## Properties menu

### Properties menu commands

The Properties menu offers the following commands:

-   Computation Year: Review or update computation year (current year).

-   Field Office Info: Review or update field office manager\'s name and
    title, and address.

-   Historical Amounts: Review: Review historical amounts (benefit
    increases, average wages, wage bases).

-   Historical Amounts: Modify: Modify historical amounts (benefit
    increases, average wages, wage bases).

-   Historical Amounts: Update: Add another year of data for historical
    amounts (benefit increase, average wage, wage bases).

-   Historical Amounts: Restore Defaults: Clear saved historical amounts
    from the Registry.

-   Benefit Increases: Set 1: Review or update amounts in first set of
    stored projected benefit increases.

-   Benefit Increases: Set 2: Review or update amounts in second set of
    stored projected benefit increases.

-   Benefit Increases: Set 3: Review or update amounts in third set of
    stored projected benefit increases.

-   Benefit Increases: Set 4: Review or update amounts in fourth set of
    stored projected benefit increases.

-   Catch-up Increases: Set 1: Review or update amounts in first set of
    stored projected catch-up benefit increases.

-   Catch-up Increases: Set 2: Review or update amounts in second set of
    stored projected catch-up benefit increases.

-   Catch-up Increases: Set 3: Review or update amounts in third set of
    stored projected catch-up benefit increases.

-   Catch-up Increases: Set 4: Review or update amounts in fourth set of
    stored projected catch-up benefit increases.

-   Average Wage increases: Set 1: Review or update amounts in first set
    of stored projected average wage increases.

-   Average Wage increases: Set 2: Review or update amounts in second
    set of stored projected average wage increases.

-   Average Wage increases: Set 3: Review or update amounts in third set
    of stored projected average wage increases.

-   Average Wage increases: Set 4: Review or update amounts in fourth
    set of stored projected average wage increases.

### Computation Year form

#### Computation Year form

The computation year form has an entry for the computation year.

After you have updated the computation year, the new value is saved in
the Registry. Press Cancel to exit from the form without saving the new
value to the Registry. Press \"Restore default\" to remove any value
previously stored in the Registry, and change the entry in the form to
the current computation year (2009 in the current version of the
Calculator).

#### Computation year

The Social Security Benefit Calculator is distributed with the
computation year set to the latest year for which data is available
(currently 2009). This means that benefit increases through December
2008 and benefit formulas through 2009 are known and available to the
program. Requests for benefit computations which require program amounts
beyond those values will necessitate the user entering assumptions about
those future amounts.

In general, you do not need to choose an earlier computation year.
However, you can choose an earlier computation year if you need to
reproduce a result produced in an earlier year. For instance, if you
received an official Social Security Statement dated December 2008 and
it is now 2009, you would have to change the computation year to 2008 in
order to reproduce the Social Security Statement results.

You can update the computation year as new benefit calculation
parameters become available. The new calculation parameters should be
entered into the program by selecting \"Historical amounts\" from the
Properties menu item. After the calculation parameters are entered and
saved, the computation year can be updated.

### Field Office Info form

#### Field office information

The field office information form has the following entries:

-   Manager\'s name: Field office manager\'s name.

-   Manager\'s title: Field office manager\'s title.

-   Address line 1: First line of field office address.

-   Address line 2: Second line of field office address.

-   Address line 3: Third line of field office address.

-   Address line 4: Fourth line of field office address.

This gives each Social Security Administration field office the ability
to produce customized letters transmitting their Social Security
Statement estimates. Users outside of the Social Security Administration
can ignore this information.

After you have changed the field office information, the new values are
saved in the Registry. Press Cancel to exit from the form without saving
any new values to the Registry.

#### Manager\'s name (Field Office Info form)

The Social Security Administration field office address, and name and
title of the field office manager, is printed on the output for a Social
Security Statement calculation. Users outside of the Social Security
Administration can ignore this information.

Tailor the name of the field office manager to the appropriate value.
This gives each Social Security Administration field office the ability
to produce customized letters transmitting their Social Security
Statement estimates.

#### Manager\'s title (Field Office Info form)

The Social Security Administration field office address, and name and
title of the field office manager, is printed on the output for a Social
Security Statement calculation. Users outside of the Social Security
Administration can ignore this information.

Tailor the title of the field office manager to the appropriate value.
This gives each Social Security Administration field office the ability
to produce customized letters transmitting their Social Security
Statement estimates.

#### Address line 1 (Field Office Info form)

The Social Security Administration field office address, and name and
title of the field office manager, is printed on the output for a Social
Security Statement calculation. Users outside of the Social Security
Administration can ignore this information.

Tailor the field office address to the appropriate values. This gives
each Social Security Administration field office the ability to produce
customized letters transmitting their Social Security Statement
estimates.

#### Address line 2 (Field Office Info form)

The Social Security Administration field office address, and name and
title of the field office manager, is printed on the output for a Social
Security Statement calculation. Users outside of the Social Security
Administration can ignore this information.

Tailor the field office address to the appropriate values. This gives
each Social Security Administration field office the ability to produce
customized letters transmitting their Social Security Statement
estimates.

#### Address line 3 (Field Office Info form)

The Social Security Administration field office address, and name and
title of the field office manager, is printed on the output for a Social
Security Statement calculation. Users outside of the Social Security
Administration can ignore this information.

Tailor the field office address to the appropriate values. This gives
each Social Security Administration field office the ability to produce
customized letters transmitting their Social Security Statement
estimates.

#### Address line 4 (Field Office Info form)

The Social Security Administration field office address, and name and
title of the field office manager, is printed on the output for a Social
Security Statement calculation. Users outside of the Social Security
Administration can ignore this information.

Tailor the field office address to the appropriate values. This gives
each Social Security Administration field office the ability to produce
customized letters transmitting their Social Security Statement
estimates.

### Historical Amounts

#### Historical amounts: review

The \"Historical amounts - review\" menu choice allows you to review the
historical average wage series, benefit increases, and wage bases.
Amounts for the following series will appear on the screen for one year
at a time, beginning with 1979:

-   the benefit increase,

-   the average wage (indexing) series,

-   the Social Security wage base, and

-   the Social Security old-law wage base (ignoring the 1979-81 ad hoc
    increases).

Press \"Next Year\" to see each year up to the current computation year.
Press \"OK\" when you are finished.

#### Historical amounts: modify

The \"Historical amounts - modify\" menu choice allows you to modify
values in the historical average wage series, benefit increases, and
wage bases that have been entered via the Historical amounts - update
menu item. This selection is not available if you have not entered any
values via that menu item. The form has the following entries:

-   Benefit increase: Benefit increase percentage for December of the
    prior year.

-   Average wage: Average wage amount for the second preceding year.

-   Social Security wage base: Social Security wage base for the
    specified year.

-   Old-law wage base: Old-law wage base for the specified year.

-   Previous year: Button to jump to previous year.

-   Next year: Button to jump to next year.

After you have modified any of the four new historical amounts for any
of the available years, the new values are saved in the Registry. Press
Cancel to exit from the form without saving any new values to the
Registry.

#### Historical amounts: update

The \"Historical amounts - update\" menu choice allows you to update the
historical average wage series, benefit increases, and wage bases.
Values can be entered for the year after the current computation year.
The form has the following entries:

-   Benefit increase: Benefit increase percentage for December of the
    prior year.

-   Average wage: Average wage amount for the second preceding year.

-   Social Security wage base: Social Security wage base for the
    specified year.

-   Old-law wage base: Old-law wage base for the specified year.

When the data becomes available, you should enter the value for each of
the four series. Normally, this would be done around November 1, when
the benefit increase for December and the average wage and wage base for
the next year are announced.

After you have added the four new historical amounts, the new values are
saved in the Registry. Press Cancel to exit from the form without saving
any new values to the Registry.

#### Historical amounts: restore defaults

The \"Historical amounts - Restore Defaults\" menu choice allows you to
delete values in the historical average wage series, benefit increases,
and wage bases that have been entered via the Historical amounts -
update menu item, and/or modified via the Historical amounts - modify
menu item. This selection is not available if you have not entered any
values via those menu items. The form has an OK button to continue with
the restoration of defaults, or a Cancel button to return without
restoring the defaults.

#### Benefit increase

The benefit increase applies to any benefit based on a year of
eligibility that is the same as, or earlier than, the year of the
benefit increase. It is equal to the increase in the Consumer Price
Index from the third quarter (July, August, and September) of the prior
year to the third quarter of the current year, rounded to the nearest
0.1 percent.

#### Average wage

The average wage is used for indexing an earnings record in the
computation of an Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME). It also is
used in the determination of the benefit formula bend points and other
Social Security parameters. It is based on the average of all W-2
earnings reported to the Social Security Administration.

#### Wage base

The Social Security wage base limits the earnings on which Social
Security taxes are paid and on which Social Security benefits are based.
It increases in proportion to the average wage, but is rounded to a
multiple of \$300. It is announced at the same time as the average wage.

#### Old-law wage base

The old-law Social Security wage base is necessary in the calculation of
the special-minimum PIA. It increases in the same manner as the regular
wage base. It is announced at the same time as the average wage,
although some announcements may fail to mention the old-law wage base.

### Benefit Increases

#### Benefit increases: set 1

The first set of stored projected benefit increases is initially set to
the alternative I (optimistic) set in the most recent Trustees Report
(2008 for this version of the program). See Stored benefit increases for
information on how to change the stored values.

#### Benefit increases: set 2

The second set of stored projected benefit increases is initially set to
the alternative II (intermediate) set in the most recent Trustees Report
(2008 for this version of the program). See Stored benefit increases for
information on how to change the stored values.

#### Benefit increases: set 3

The third set of stored projected benefit increases is initially set to
the alternative III (pessimistic) set in the most recent Trustees Report
(2008 for this version of the program). See Stored benefit increases for
information on how to change the stored values.

#### Benefit increases: set 4

The fourth set of stored projected benefit increases is initially set to
all zeroes. See Stored benefit increases for information on how to
change the stored values.

#### Stored benefit increases

There are four sets of stored benefit increases, with values initially
set to the values used in the most recent Trustees Report (for sets 1 to
3) or zero (for set 4). The form selected by choosing one of the four
submenus from Benefit Increases under the Properties menu allows you to
change the stored benefit increases. There are 15 entries for the first
15 projected years and a final entry for all years after the fifteenth
projected year. There is also a checkbox to allow for catch-up benefit
increases to be associated with this set of benefit increases. If the
box is not checked, all catch-up benefit increases will be zero for this
set. There is also a box allowing for the editing of the title of this
set of benefit increases.

After you have edited the benefit increases and title, the new values
are saved in the Registry. Press Cancel to exit from the form without
saving any new values to the Registry. Press \"Restore defaults\" to
remove any values previously stored in the Registry, and change the
entries in the form to the original values stored in the Calculator.

#### Stored benefit increase label (Stored Benefit Increases form)

This shows which set of projected benefit increases is being presented
to you. See Stored benefit increases for more information.

#### Projected ultimate benefit increase (Stored Benefit Increases form)

Enter the ultimate benefit increase. It will apply for all years after
the 15 specified years. See Stored benefit increases for more
information.

#### Title of stored benefit increase assumptions (Stored Benefit Increases form)

Enter the title for this set of benefit increase assumptions.

#### Catch-up benefit increases (Stored Benefit Increases form)

Check this button if you want to allow catch-up benefit increases for
this stored set of projected benefit increases. None of the stored sets
of assumptions allow catch-up benefit increases on initial installation.
See Stored benefit increases for more information.

### Catch-up Increases

#### Catch-up increases: set 1

The first set of stored projected catch-up benefit increases is
initially set to the alternative I (optimistic) set in the most recent
Trustees Report (2008 for this version of the program); these are all
zeroes. See Stored catch-up increases for information on how to change
the stored values.

#### Catch-up increases: set 2

The second set of stored projected catch-up benefit increases is
initially set to the alternative II (intermediate) set in the most
recent Trustees Report (2008 for this version of the program); these are
all zeroes. See Stored catch-up increases for information on how to
change the stored values.

#### Catch-up increases: set 3

The third set of stored projected catch-up benefit increases is
initially set to the alternative III (pessimistic) set in the most
recent Trustees Report (2008 for this version of the program); these are
all zeroes. See Stored catch-up increases for information on how to
change the stored values.

#### Catch-up increases: set 4

The fourth set of stored projected catch-up benefit increases is
initially set to all zeroes. See Stored catch-up increases for
information on how to change the stored values.

#### Stored catch-up increases

Under the \"stabilizer\" provision of the Social Security law, a benefit
increase may be reduced from what it otherwise would be, in conditions
of low trust fund ratios. If a benefit increase is reduced, \"catch-up\"
benefit increases may be paid in later years to beneficiaries affected
by the initial benefit reduction. (None of the three Trustees Report
alternatives have any catch-up benefit increases.)

There are four sets of stored catch-up benefit increases, with values
initially set to zero. The form selected by choosing one of the four
submenus from Catch-up Increases under the Properties menu allows you to
change the stored catch-up benefit increases. You are able to provide
catch-up benefit increases for 8 calendar years, for 10 possible years
of eligibility. Only values for one year of eligibility at a time are
shown; by clicking on Previous year of eligibility or Next year of
eligibility, you are able to view and change the values for each year of
eligibility from the current year through the current year plus 9.

After you have edited the catch-up benefit increases, the new values are
saved in the Registry. Press Cancel to exit from the form without saving
any new values to the Registry. Press \"Restore defaults\" to remove any
values previously stored in the Registry, and change the entries in the
form to zero.

#### Stored catch-up increase label (Stored Catch-up Increases form)

This shows which set of projected catch-up increases is being presented
to you. See Stored catch-up increases for more information.

#### Stored catch-up increase year of eligibility (Stored Catch-up Increases form)

This shows which year of eligibility of projected catch-up increases is
being presented to you. See Stored catch-up increases for more
information.

#### Previous year of eligibility (Stored Catch-up Increases form)

Click on this button when the information is correct for the year of
eligibility displayed and you want to go back and review information for
a prior year of eligibility. If you are already viewing information for
the earliest year available, clicking this button has no effect.

#### Next year of eligibility (Stored Catch-up Increases form)

Click on this button when the information is correct for the year of
eligibility displayed and you want to proceed to the next year of
eligibility. If you are already viewing information for the last year
available, clicking this button has no effect.

### Average Wage Increases

#### Average wage increases: set 1

The first set of stored projected average wage increases is initially
set to the alternative I (optimistic) set in the most recent Trustees
Report (2008 for this version of the program). See Stored average wage
increases for information on how to change the stored values.

#### Average wage increases: set 2

The second set of stored projected average wage increases is initially
set to the alternative II (intermediate) set in the most recent Trustees
Report (2008 for this version of the program). See Stored average wage
increases for information on how to change the stored values.

#### Average wage increases: set 3

The third set of stored projected average wage increases is initially
set to the alternative III (pessimistic) set in the most recent Trustees
Report (2008 for this version of the program). See Stored average wage
increases for information on how to change the stored values.

#### Average wage increases: set 4

The fourth set of stored projected average wage increases is initially
set to all zeroes. See Stored average wage increases for information on
how to change the stored values.

#### Stored average wage increases

There are four sets of stored average wage increases, with values
initially set to the values used in the most recent Trustees Report (for
sets 1 to 3) or zero (for set 4). The form selected by choosing one of
the four submenus from Average Wage Increases under the Properties menu
allows you to change the stored average wage increases. There are 16
entries for the most recent historical year and the first 15 projected
years, and a final entry for all years after the fifteenth projected
year. There is also a box allowing for the editing of the title of this
set of average wage increases.

After you have edited the average wage increases and title, the new
values are saved in the Registry. Press Cancel to exit from the form
without saving any new values to the Registry. Press \"Restore
defaults\" to remove any values previously stored in the Registry, and
change the entries in the form to the original values stored in the
Calculator.

#### Stored average wage increase label (Stored Average Wage Increases form)

This shows which set of projected average wage increases is being
presented to you. See Stored average wage increases for more
information.

#### Projected ultimate average wage increase (Stored Average Wage Increases form)

Enter the ultimate average wage percentage increase. It will apply for
all years after the 16 specified years. See Stored average wage
increases for more information.

#### Title of stored average wage increase assumptions (Stored average wage increases form)

Enter the title for this set of average wage increase assumptions.

## Help menu

### Help menu commands

The Help menu offers the following commands, which provide you
assistance with this application:

-   Help Topics: Offers you an index to topics on which you can get
    help.

-   About Calculator: Displays the version number of this Social
    Security Benefit Calculator.

### Context Help command

![](media/image12.png){width="0.26319444444444445in" height="0.25in"}

Use the Context Help command to obtain help on some portion of the
Social Security Benefit Calculator. When you choose the Toolbar\'s
Context Help button, the mouse pointer will change to an arrow and
question mark. Then click somewhere in the Social Security Benefit
Calculator window, such as another Toolbar button. The Help topic will
be shown for the item you clicked.

#### Shortcut

Keys:SHIFT+F1

### Help topics command (Help menu)

Use this command to display the opening screen of Help. From the opening
screen, you can jump to step-by-step instructions for using the Social
Security Benefit Calculator and various types of reference information.

Once you open Help, you can click the Contents button whenever you want
to return to the opening screen.

### About command (Help menu)

Use this command to display the version number of your copy of the
Social Security Benefit Calculator.

# Description of generated report

## General report information

The generated report from the Social Security Benefit Calculator appears
in the main viewing window. What appears depends on if the current case
is a Social Security Statement case or not. It also depends on whether
or not the current case has been run (by choosing **File**, **Calculate
Estimate**). For a Social Security Statement, output for a case that has
been run consists of six pages, consisting of a letter with introductory
material and five pages displaying identifying information, estimated
taxes, benefit estimates, and explanatory material. If the case has not
yet been run, output consists of only the identifying information.

If your calculation is other than a Social Security Statement case, the
generated report of the Social Security Benefit Calculator for a case
that has been run consists of a summary page of results for the worker,
a table of earnings, a page showing insured status, a page of results
for family members (if any), one or two pages of detailed results for
each trial PIA calculation, and a page of estimated taxes. If the case
has not yet been run, output consists of only part of the summary page
of results, showing input data.

If you choose **Print** from the **File** main menu selection, you can
print what currently appears in the main viewing window to any printer
that has been set up under Windows or the MacOS.

## Social Security Statement

### General Statement information

The Social Security Statement output consists of six pages:

-   a letter transmitting the results, including a statement of the
    limitations of the estimates,

-   a summary of the values, other than the yearly earnings, used to
    calculate the estimates, and explanations of the earnings record and
    the calculation of taxes paid,

-   a table of yearly Social Security and Medicare earnings and
    estimated Social Security taxes paid on those earnings,

-   a display of the retirement, disability, and survivor benefit
    estimates,

-   explanations of Social Security and Medicare credits and the
    retirement benefit projection, and

-   explanations of the retirement, disability, and family benefits.

### Statement letter

The letter displays the field office return address (see Field office
information). It also displays the worker\'s name and address. The body
of the letter describes the Social Security Statement estimates and
contains a statement of the limitations of the estimates similar to that
found in the official Social Security Statement. The letter closes with
the field office manager\'s name and title as stored on the disk.

### Statement summary

At the top of the page is a summary of the values used to calculate the
estimates. It has the same identifying information as is shown on the
official Social Security Statement: name, Social Security number, date
of birth, earnings in the year prior to the computation year, earnings
in the computation year, estimated future yearly earnings, and planned
retirement age. Next is a line showing the amount of the noncovered
pension used in the calculations. Note that this should say NONE in
order to reproduce an official Social Security Statement estimate. There
is also a line showing the processing month, since this program can
produce an estimate as of a prior processing month.

Following the identifying information are two sections providing general
information about your earnings record and how your taxes were
estimated.

### Statement earnings and taxes

The next page shows a table of maximum earnings, the actual earnings of
the worker, and the estimated taxes paid for each year through the last
year for which earnings are posted to the earnings record. Taxes are
shown for both:

-   retirement, survivors, and disability insurance, and

-   Medicare hospital insurance.

This table parallels a similar one in the official Social Security
Statement.

### Statement benefit estimates

The page of benefit estimates has sections for retirement, disability,
and survivors. Each estimate is based on the same basic data, but varies
as to final year of earnings, assumed date of death, or assumed date of
disability onset.

Retirement estimates are shown for retirement at full retirement age and
at age 70. If the planned retirement age is less than the full
retirement age, there is also an early retirement estimate. Earnings for
the estimates at full retirement age and and 70 continue to the age of
retirement. Earnings for the early retirement estimate continue to the
planned retirement age. Any assumed earnings beyond the computation year
are at the level shown as \"Your Estimated Future Yearly Earnings\".

The results are shown in today\'s dollars, meaning that the benefit
formula bend points are not projected beyond those in the computation
year and no future benefit increases are applied. However, for official
calculations prior to September 1993, a real-wage-gain factor was
applied in cases where the year of eligibility was after the computation
year (see Average wage increase assumptions). This program can produce
results with or without the real-wage-gain factor.

Disability estimates are shown as the amount for the worker alone, and
as the maximum for the family of the disabled worker. Both estimates
assume that disability occurs in the processing month.

Survivor estimates are shown for three possible family members:

-   one child,

-   a surviving spouse caring for a child, or

-   a surviving spouse at full retirement age.

There is also an estimate of the most that could be paid (the MFB) if
more family members qualify for benefits. Finally, there is an estimate
of the one-time death benefit. All survivor estimates assume that death
occurs in the processing month.

### Statement credits

The next page provides general information about Social Security credits
(see quarters of coverage) and how your benefit was estimated.

### Statement information

The next page provides general information about retirement ages, the
requirements for disability benefits, and the requirements for family
benefits.

## Other than Social Security Statement

### Pages in a non-Statement report

The pages that appear in a report generated for a case other than a
Social Security Statement vary depending on the characteristics of the
case. The possible report pages are listed below:

-   a summary of results,

-   a table of earnings,

-   a summary of insured status,

-   results for family members,

-   results for the old-start method,

-   results for the new-start method,

-   results for the wage-indexed formula,

-   results for the transitional guarantee,

-   results for the special minimum,

-   results for the re-indexed widow(er) guarantee,

-   results for the frozen minimum,

-   results for the disability guarantee,

-   results for the childcare dropout year method, and

-   a table of taxes paid.

### Summary of results

This page presents the name, Social Security number, sex, and date of
birth of the worker, the type of benefit, and the date of death or
disability (if any). If this is an old-age or disability case, there is
also the date of entitlement of the worker, the age at entitlement, the
date of benefit, age of the worker at benefit date (if the benefit date
is after entitlement date), and the full and early retirement ages of
the worker. Also shown is the noncovered monthly pension (if any).

If the case has been run, the PIA and MFB are shown for each of the
eight computation methods that is applicable. A final summary shows the
actual PIA (the highest from all of the applicable methods), along with
its corresponding Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME) or Average
Monthly Earnings (AME), and the MFB.

If this is a life case (old-age or disability), there is also shown the
early or delayed retirement factor, the calculated benefit after
application of that factor, and the benefit after rounding down to the
next lower dollar (if applicable). If the PIA involved a projection, the
titles of the benefit increase and average wage increase assumptions are
shown at the bottom of the page. If the worker does not have the
appropriate insured status for the requested benefit, a paragraph is
added explaining that the calculated benefit is theoretical.

### Table of earnings

This page lists the annual earnings used in the PIA computations, the
wage base in each year, the amount required for a quarter of coverage,
and the number of quarters of coverage earned each year. The amount
required for a quarter of coverage for years after 1978 equals the
amount in 1978 (\$250), multiplied by the ratio of average annual
earnings in the second year prior to the given year to average annual
earnings in 1976. For this page and any following detail pages, there is
a one-line warning message if the worker does not have the appropriate
insured status.

If this is a totalization benefit, there are two additional columns
showing the relative earnings position and attributed earnings. These
amounts are used to compute a theoretical PIA based on a full lifetime
of earnings. The totalization benefit is based on a pro-rata share of
the theoretical PIA.

### Insured status

This page shows the number of quarters of coverage required for fully
insured status, the number actually earned, and the resulting insured
status. The number of quarters of coverage required for fully insured
status equals the number of years after the year of attainment of age 21
(or 1950, if later) and before the year of eligibility (age 62 for
old-age cases). If there were any periods of disability, the number of
quarters of coverage required is reduced, but not below a minimum of 6
quarters.

If you specified a totalization benefit, the worker must have at least 6
quarters, but be uninsured for regular benefits. The insured status
printed on this page will reflect those requirements.

If this is a disability case, there are additional lines showing the
number of quarters required for disability insured status, the period
over which they had to have been earned, the number actually earned, and
the resulting disability insured status. (Fully insured status is also
required for a disability case.)

If this is a survivor case with a young survivor, there are additional
lines showing the number of quarters required for currently insured
status, the number actually earned, and the resulting currently insured
status. (Fully insured status is not required if currently insured
status is met in a young survivor case.)

For more information on insured status requirements, see the OASDI
Digest.

### Family members

This page presents the results for each family member, if any. For each
family member, there is a description of the type of beneficiary, the
date of birth, the date of entitlement, the date of benefit (if later
than the date of entitlement), the benefit factor, the full benefit
(unreduced for MFB or reduction for age), the benefit after application
of MFB, the number of months of reduction for age, the age reduction
factor, the benefit after reduction for age, and the benefit after
rounding. If this beneficiary is an aged spouse or widow(er), there is
also the full retirement age.

For more information on the types of family benefits available, see the
OASDI Digest.

### Old-start method

The old-start method is actually a group of various methods, only one of
which could apply in any given case. One of the old-start methods
applies if the worker has earnings prior to 1951, with the following
exception: if the worker attains age 22 after 1950 and has 6 or more
quarters of coverage after 1950, the old-start method does not apply.

#### Earnings

The first page shows actual earnings, imputed earnings, and the highest
earnings. Earnings prior to 1951 are redistributed in the imputed
earnings column, if the applicable method is the 1967, 1977, or 1990
simplified old-start method. (For earlier old-start methods, actual
yearly earnings prior to 1951 must be used.) The imputed earnings column
also shows that, for persons eligible in 1979 or later, earnings in the
year of eligibility and later are not considered. The column of highest
earnings shows those years selected for the AME.

#### Calculation

The second page shows the derivation of the primary insurance benefit
(PIB), PIA, and MFB from the years of highest earnings. Since the
old-start method first became \"old-start\" in 1950, it has been
modified about 6 times. The applicable method is the particular
modification applicable to the case illustrated. The AME is the total of
the highest earnings for the number of years equal to the number of
old-start computation years, divided by the number of old-start
computation years and by 12. The PIB is calculated from a formula which
depends on the particular old-start method. The corresponding new-start
AME is found from a conversion table, as is the PIA, before application
of any benefit increases.

Prior to the 1977 amendments, the MFB is also found from a conversion
table. Under the 1977 (and 1990) amendments, the MFB is calculated as
under the wage-indexed method: an MFB at eligibility is calculated by
applying a formula to the PIA at eligibility.

Under the 1977 amendments, where eligibility is in 1979 or later,
benefit increases are applied beginning with the year of eligibility and
continuing through the month of benefit.

For more information on the old-start method, see the OASDI Digest.

### New-start method

This method applies if the worker was eligible in 1978 or earlier.

#### Earnings

The first page shows the selection of earnings used in the AME
calculation. All earnings after 1950 and before the year of old-age or
disability entitlement are available for selection in the AME, with the
following exception: For disability cases, only the usual disability
freeze calculation is considered, so earnings after the year of
disability onset and before the year of assumed or actual attainment of
full retirement age are not considered. For survivor cases, earnings in
the year of death are available for selection, even if the benefit date
is in that same year.

#### Calculation

The second page shows the derivation of the PIA and MFB from the highest
years of earnings. The number of computation years equals the number of
elapsed years minus the number of dropout years. The AME equals the
total of the highest earnings for the number of years equal to the
number of computation years, divided by the number of computation years
and by 12.

For entitlements prior to June 1975, the PIA and MFB at benefit date are
found directly in the applicable PIA table. Beginning in June 1975, the
program starts with the 1973 PIA table and applies benefit increases and
wage base extensions up to the year of benefit. The PIA and MFB at
benefit date are then found in the newly calculated PIA table.

For more information on the new-start method, see the OASDI Digest.

### Wage-indexed formula

This method applies if the worker is eligible in 1979 or later.

#### Earnings

The first page shows the indexation of earnings as a two-step process.
First, actual earnings, limited to the wage base, are multiplied by
average annual earnings from 2 years prior to the year of eligibility
(for all years prior to and including the second year prior to the year
of eligibility). Second, each resulting product is divided by average
annual earnings in the year of actual earnings. The last column shows
the selection of the computation years (the years with the highest
indexed earnings).

#### Calculation

The second page shows the derivation of the PIA and MFB from the indexed
earnings. The base year for indexing is two years prior to the year of
eligibility. The number of computation years equals the number of
elapsed years minus the number of dropout years. The AIME equals the
total of the highest indexed earnings for the number of years equal to
the number of computation years, divided by the number of computation
years and by 12. The PIA formula bend points equal the bend points
applicable to workers becoming eligible in 1979 (\$180 and \$1085),
multiplied by the ratio of average annual earnings in the second year
prior to the year of eligibility to average annual earnings in 1977. The
result is rounded to the nearest dollar. The MFB formula bend points are
found similarly, starting from the 1979 bend points of \$230, \$332, and
\$433.

The PIA at eligibility is the sum of a three-part formula:

-   90% of AIME up to and including the first bend point, plus

-   32% of AIME from the first bend point to the second bend point, plus

-   15% of AIME in excess of the second bend point.

The result is rounded up (for eligibility in 1981 or earlier) or down
(for eligibility in 1982 or later) to a multiple of a dime.

If the worker has a noncovered pension, and is eligible in 1986 or
later, the PIA at eligibility is recomputed to take account of the
windfall elimination provision. The PIA at eligibility under this
provision is computed as above, except that the 90% factor is replaced
with a 40% factor. There are three exceptions to this rule:

-   If the worker is eligible prior to 1990, the replacement factor is
    greater than 40% (80% for 1986 eligibles, 70% for 1987, 60% for
    1988, and 50% for 1989).

-   If the worker has more than 25 years of coverage for entitlements in
    1986-88, or more than 20 years of coverage for entitlements after
    1988, the replacement factor is greater than 40%. During 1986-88,
    the replacement factor is 50% for 26 years of coverage, 60% for 27
    years, 70% for 28 years, 80% for 29 years, and 90% for 30 or more
    years. After 1988, the replacement factor is 45% for 21 years, 50%
    for 22 years, 55% for 23 years, 60% for 24 years, 65% for 25 years,
    70% for 26 years, 75% for 27 years, 80% for 28 years, 85% for 29
    years, and 90% for 30 or more years. Years of coverage for this
    purpose are the same as those for the special minimum method, for
    years through 1990. After 1990, earnings are compared to one-quarter
    of the old-law wage base (rather than 15 percent of the old-law wage
    base, as for the special minimum method).

-   The reduction in PIA due to this provision can be no more than
    one-half of the noncovered pension. If more than one exception
    applies, the one that produces the least reduction in benefit is
    applied.

For old-age and survivor benefits, the MFB at eligibility is normally
the sum of a four-part formula:

-   150% of PIA up to and including the first bend point, plus

-   272% of PIA from the first bend point to the second bend point, plus

-   134% of PIA from the second bend point to the third bend point, plus

-   175% of PIA in excess of the third bend point.

The result is rounded up or down to a multiple of a dime (as for the PIA
at eligibility).

For disability benefits where entitlement began after June 1980, the MFB
at eligibility is the smaller of:

-   85% of the AIME, but not less than the basic PIA or the old-start
    guarantee PIA, or

-   150% of the worker\'s basic PIA or old-start guarantee PIA.

In the case of a projected benefit using the old PEBES calculation
method (which was used in official PEBES estimates prior to September
1993), there is an adjustment to the PIA at eligibility to reflect
expected future real-wage gains. This is not part of the regular
benefit-computation procedure; the benefit is increased by 1 percent for
each year from the current year to the year of eligibility as an attempt
to produce a benefit in today\'s dollars that takes account of higher
future real-wage levels.

Automatic benefit increases are applied, beginning with the one in the
year of eligibility and continuing through the month of benefit. After
each increase in PIA and MFB, the result is rounded up (for the June
1981 increase or earlier) or down (for the June 1982 increase or later)
to a multiple of a dime.

For more information on the wage-indexed formula, see the OASDI Digest.

### Transitional guarantee

This method applies for the calculation of an old-age benefit if the
worker attains age 62 in 1979 to 1983, inclusive, and was not
continuously disabled from prior to 1979. It also applies for survivor
cases, if the worker attained age 62 in that same 5-year period and
survived at least to the month of attainment of age 62.

#### Earnings

The first page shows the selection of earnings used in the AME
calculation. The same rules are followed as for the New-Start
calculation (pre-1977 law), except that earnings in the year of
attainment of age 62 and later cannot be used in the average.

#### Calculation

The second page shows the derivation of the PIA and MFB from the highest
years of earnings. The number of computation years equals the number of
elapsed years minus the number of dropout years. The AME equals the
total of the highest earnings for the number of years equal to the
number of computation years, divided by the number of computation years
and by 12. The PIA as of the year of eligibility is found from the
December 1978 PIA table (even if the year of eligibility is later than
1979). The MFB formula bend points are the ones applicable to the
worker\'s year of eligibility, and the MFB at eligibility is found as in
the wage-indexed method.

Automatic benefit increases are applied, beginning with the one in the
year of eligibility and continuing through the month of benefit. After
each increase in PIA and MFB, the result is rounded up (for the June
1981 increase or earlier) or down (for the June 1982 increase or later)
to a multiple of a dime.

For more information on the transitional guarantee, see the OASDI
Digest.

### Special minimum

This method applies for benefits in 1973 or later.

#### Earnings

The first page shows the calculation of the number of years of coverage
for special minimum purposes. Earnings in each year after 1950 and
before 1979 are compared to one-quarter of the wage base for that year.
Earnings after 1978 and before 1991 are compared to one-quarter of what
the wage base would have been for that year had there not been ad hoc
changes in the wage base in 1979-81 (the old-law base). Earnings after
1990 are compared to 15 percent of the old-law wage base. Each year for
which earnings are at least equal to the required amount counts as a
year of coverage. In addition, earnings prior to 1951 contribute toward
years of coverage, on the basis of 1 year of coverage for each \$900 of
cumulative earnings, up to a maximum of 14 years of coverage for
pre-1951 earnings.

#### Calculation

The second page shows the derivation of the PIA and MFB from the number
of years of coverage. The amount of PIA per year of coverage equals
\$11.50 for benefits in 1979 or later, before application of any
automatic benefit increases. For months prior to 1979, the amount per
year of coverage was \$8.50 (prior to March 1974) or \$9.00 (from March
1974 through December 1978). To compute the PIA, the amount per year is
multiplied by the number of years greater than 10 but less than or equal
to 30 (producing a maximum of 20 countable years). The MFB, before
application of any automatic benefit increases, is 150% of the PIA.

For benefits in June 1979 or later, automatic benefit increases are
applied beginning with the one for June 1979 and continuing through the
month of benefit. After each increase in PIA and MFB, the result is
rounded up (for the June 1981 increase or earlier) or down (for the June
1982 increase or later) to a multiple of a dime.

For more information on the special minimum, see the OASDI Digest.

### Re-indexed widow(er) guarantee

This method applies in survivor cases where there is an aged or disabled
widow(er) and the worker dies in 1979 or later and before attaining age
62. In addition, if the worker dies before 1985, the widow(er) must be
eligible in 1985 or later. The calculation is identical to the normal
wage-indexed method, except that the year of eligibility is taken as the
earlier of:

-   the worker\'s year of attainment of age 62, or

-   the widow(er)\'s year of eligibility.

For aged widow(er)s, the year of eligibility is the year of attainment
of age 60; for disabled widow(er)s, it is the later of the year of
attainment of age 50 or the year of the first month after the disability
waiting period.

#### Earnings

The first page shows the indexation of earnings.

#### Calculation

The second page shows the derivation of the PIA and MFB from the indexed
earnings. The format follows that of the second page of the wage-indexed
formula output, except for the determination of the MFB. There is no
separate MFB for the re-indexed widow(er) guarantee PIA, since the PIA
applies only to the widow(er). If there are any other beneficiaries on
the earnings record, the regular MFB (determined under one of the other
methods) applies.

For more information on the re-indexed widow(er) guarantee, see the
OASDI Digest.

### Frozen minimum

This method applies if the worker is eligible in 1979-81. However, it
does not apply for a totalization benefit.

#### Calculation

The PIA at eligibility is \$122, and the MFB at eligibility is \$183.
Benefit increases are applied beginning with the earlier of the year of
entitlement or the year of attainment of age 65, and continue through
the month of benefit.

For more information on the frozen minimum, see the OASDI Digest.

### Disability guarantee

This method applies if the worker is eligible in 1979 or later, and this
is a disability case with more than one period of disability, or if this
is an old-age or survivor case with a prior period of disability.

#### Calculation

The PIA at entitlement to the current benefit is equal to the PIA at
cessation of the prior period of disability. In addition, if the
cessation was within 12 months of the current entitlement, any
intervening cost-of-living adjustments are applied to the prior PIA.

For a disability benefit, or any benefit prior to January 1996, the MFB
is simply the one at the date of cessation of the prior disability
benefit. For old-age or survivors in 1996 or later, if the prior MFB was
based on the disability maximum, the PIA at cessation must be
deconverted back to the year of eligibility (by dividing out any
cost-of-living adjustments), then that is used to compute a raw MFB, and
that is converted forward (by applying cost-of-living adjustments) to
the cessation date.

For more information on the disability guarantee or the disability
maximum, see the OASDI Digest.

### Childcare dropout year method

This method is a specialization of the wage-indexed formula method, and
so applies if the worker is eligible in 1979 or later. In addition, it
only applies in a disability case where entitlement was in June 1980 or
later, or in an old-age case where there was a prior entitlement to a
disability benefit, and that prior entitlement was in June 1980 or later
and lasted to age 61. There must also be at least one childcare year.

#### Earnings

The first page shows the indexation of earnings in a manner identical to
that for the wage-indexed formula method.

#### Calculation

The second page shows the derivation of the PIA and MFB from the indexed
earnings. The results are similar or identical to the results for the
wage-indexed method. The only difference is that there may be childcare
dropout years which are in addition to the normal number of dropout
years.

For more information on the childcare dropout year method, see the OASDI
Digest.

### Taxes paid

The final page shows Social Security earnings, and taxes paid in each
year for old-age and survivors insurance (OASI), disability insurance
(DI), OASI and DI combined (OASDI), Medicare (HI), and OASI, DI, and HI
combined (OASDHI). The appropriate employee or self-employed OASI or DI
tax rate is applied to the Social Security earnings, and the Medicare
rate is applied to the Medicare earnings (not shown) for each year. Note
that the estimated taxes will be incorrect for years where there were
both employee and self-employed earnings, or where earnings were
estimated.

# Sample cases

## Sample cases

The data for the sample cases is stored in files named sample\*.pia,
where \"\*\" equals the number of the case. The results shown for each
case were obtained with the computation year set to 2009.

## Sample case 1

Shows effect of assumed benefit increases on the benefit. Compare to
sample case 2, where there are no future benefit increases.

### Description

-   Male old-age benefit, January 2010

-   born January 15, 1944

-   retired at age 66 (full retirement age)

-   maximum earnings 1965-2009

-   alternative II assumptions

### Result

-   PIA = \$2,405.40

-   MBA = \$2,405.00

## Sample case 2

Shows effect of no assumed benefit increases on the benefit. Compare to
sample case 1, where there are assumed future benefit increases.

### Description

-   Male old-age benefit, January 2010

-   born March 15, 1944

-   retired at age 66 (full retirement age)

-   maximum earnings 1965-2009

-   no benefit increases after December 2008

-   no average wage change after 2007

### Result

-   PIA = \$2,346.80

-   MBA = \$2,346.00

## Sample case 3

Shows special minimum PIA.

### Description

-   Male old-age benefit, June 1982

-   born January 2, 1920

-   retired at age 62 and 5 months

-   low earnings 1945-82

### Result

-   PIA = \$345.10

-   MBA = \$285.00

## Sample case 4

Shows old PEBES assumptions, entered earnings, non-covered pension
offset, retirement at exact age 62. Compare to sample case 27, where the
non-covered pension entitlement date is after the Social Security
benefit entitlement date.

### Description

-   Male old-age benefit, September 2012

-   born September 2, 1950

-   retired at exact age 62

-   earnings of \$1000 in 1971-80, \$2000 in 1981-90, \$3000 in
    1991-2000, \$4000 in 2001-10

-   old PEBES assumptions

-   monthly non-covered pension of \$200 starting September 2012

### Result

-   PIA = \$263.10

-   MBA = \$197.00

## Sample case 5

Shows survivor calculation, re-indexed widow(er) guarantee PIA, old
PEBES assumptions.

### Description

-   Aged widow benefit, October 2014

-   worker born September 10, 1955

-   died September 2007

-   widow born September 10, 1954

-   widow benefit started at age 60 and 1 month

-   earnings of \$1000 in 1976-80, \$2000 in 1981-90, \$3000 in
    1991-2000, \$4000 in 2001-07

-   old PEBES assumptions

### Result

-   regular PIA = \$355.40

-   re-indexed widow(er) guarantee PIA = \$375.10

-   MBA = \$269.00

## Sample case 6

Shows full retirement age 67, previous disability onset, disability
1-for-5 dropout rule carried into retirement.

### Description

-   Male old-age benefit, January 2037

-   born January 5, 1970 (retired at age 67)

-   earnings 1986-95: \$2412, \$2412, \$7132, \$15,050, \$16,125,
    \$17,200, \$18,275, \$19,350, \$19,350, \$20,425

-   previous disability onset December 15, 1995

-   previous disability entitlement June 1996

-   previous disability cessation December 2036

-   no benefit increases after December 2008

-   no average wage change after 2007

### Result

-   PIA = \$1,135.30

-   MBA = \$1,135.00

## Sample case 7

Shows special minimum PIA.

### Description

-   Male disability benefit, January 1978

-   born January 15, 1918 (retired at age 60)

-   earnings of \$1000 in 1941-54, \$1560 in 1955-65, \$2000 in 1966-72

-   disability onset June 15, 1977

-   first month of waiting period July 1977

### Result

-   PIA = \$180.00

-   MBA = \$180.00

## Sample case 8

Shows retirement age 67, benefit greater than \$10,000.

### Description

-   Male old-age benefit, January 2048

-   born January 15, 1981 (retired at age 67)

-   maximum earnings 2003-2047

-   alternative II assumptions

### Result

-   PIA = \$10,407.40

-   MBA = \$10,407.00

## Sample case 9

Shows re-indexed widow(er) guarantee PIA for disabled widow.

### Description

-   Disabled widow benefit, October 2014

-   worker born September 10, 1955

-   died September 2005

-   widow born September 10, 1959

-   widow disabled April 10, 2014

-   disabled widow benefit started at age 55 and 1 month

-   earnings of \$1000 in 1976-80, \$2000 in 1981-90, \$3000 in
    1991-2000, \$4,000 in 2001-05

-   old PEBES assumptions

### Result

-   regular PIA = \$356.90

-   re-indexed widow(er) guarantee PIA = \$379.80

-   MBA = \$271.00

## Sample case 10

Shows user-selected assumptions, totalization benefit.

### Description

-   Male old-age benefit, February 2019

-   born January 29, 1957 (retired at age 62 and 1 month)

-   maximum earnings 1994-2000

-   user-specified benefit increases after December 2008

-   user-specified average wage increases after 2007

-   totalization benefit

### Result

-   PIA = \$895.90

-   MBA = \$653.00

## Sample case 11

Shows 1950 old-start PIA, annual earnings before 1951.

### Description

-   Male old-age benefit, January 1952

-   born January 15, 1887 (retired at age 65)

-   maximum earnings 1937-51

### Result

-   PIA = \$68.50

-   MBA = \$68.50

## Sample case 12

Shows use of earnings after disability freeze ends at full retirement
age, benefit after entitlement.

### Description

-   Male old-age benefit, January 1989

-   born March 22, 1922

-   retired at age 65 in March 1987

-   benefit at age 66 and 10 months

-   maximum earnings 1945-54, 1987-88

-   previous disability onset April 1, 1954

-   previous disability entitlement January 1960

-   previous disability cessation March 1987

### Result

-   PIA = \$1,621.70

-   MBA = \$1,621.00

## Sample case 13

Shows 1990 old-start PIA, summed earnings before 1951.

### Description

-   Aged widow benefit, June 1992

-   worker born August 23, 1927

-   died March 1954

-   widow born January 5, 1929

-   earnings 1950-54: \$8,479.71, \$2,038.64, \$2,136.27, \$1,920.00,
    \$418.20

### Result

-   PIA = \$484.60

-   MBA = \$440.00

## Sample case 14

Shows Social Security Statement calculation using old PEBES assumptions.
Compare to sample case 15, where current Social Security Statement
assumptions are used.

### Description

-   Social Security Statement calculation, June 2009

-   born January 15, 1955

-   planned retirement age 62

-   maximum earnings 1976-2009

-   maximum projected earnings

-   old PEBES assumptions

### Result

-   old-age 62 = \$1,966

-   old-age 66 = \$2,657

-   old-age 70 = \$3,495

-   child survivor = \$1,818

-   widow(er) = \$2,424

-   survivor family = \$4,242

-   disability = \$2,416

-   disability family = \$3,624

## Sample case 15

Shows Social Security Statement calculation using current Social
Security Statement assumptions. Compare to sample case 14, where old
PEBES assumptions are used.

### Description

-   Social Security Statement calculation, June 2009

-   born January 15, 1955

-   planned retirement age 62

-   maximum earnings 1976-2009

-   maximum projected earnings

-   Social Security Statement assumptions

### Result

-   old-age 62 = \$1,821

-   old-age 66 = \$2,461

-   old-age 70 = \$3,236

-   child survivor = \$1,818

-   widow(er) = \$2,424

-   survivor family = \$4,242

-   disability = \$2,416

-   disability family = \$3,624

## Sample case 16

Shows special minimum PIA in disability case, using pre-1951 earnings,
no dollar-down rounding.

### Description

-   Male disability benefit, January 1982

-   born October 29, 1924

-   earnings 1950-54: \$12,812, \$912, \$0, \$275, \$233; 1964-82: \$10,
    \$1011, \$2871, \$3148, \$3510, \$4301, \$4215, \$4705, \$5455,
    \$5724, \$5735, \$5227, \$6519, \$7204, \$7874, \$8617, \$6708,
    \$1730, \$283

-   disability onset March 15, 1981

-   first month of waiting period April 1981

-   originally entitled September 1981

### Result

-   PIA = \$321.40

-   MBA = \$321.40

## Sample case 17

Shows prior period of disability in disability case.

### Description

-   Male disability benefit, December 1994

-   born July 15, 1931

-   earnings from 1950 to 1982 (see stored case)

-   disability onset December 27, 1982

-   first month of waiting period January 1983

-   originally entitled December 1983

-   prior disability onset May 5, 1976

-   first month of waiting period in prior disability June 1976

-   prior disability cessation December 1978

### Result

-   PIA = \$599.20

-   MBA = \$599.00

## Sample case 18

Shows prior closed period of disability in old-age case.

### Description

-   Male old-age benefit, December 1994

-   born February 14, 1932

-   retired at age 62 and 1 month

-   benefit at age 62 and 10 months

-   earnings from 1950 to 1993 (see stored case)

-   prior disability onset November 15, 1969

-   prior disability entitlement June 1970

-   prior disability cessation February 1972

### Result

-   PIA = \$928.90

-   MBA = \$748.00

## Sample case 19

Shows re-indexed widow(er) guarantee PIA, disability cessation at death,
entitlement more than 12 months after death and after age 62.

### Description

-   Aged widow benefit, May 1996

-   worker born September 23, 1932

-   prior disability onset July 22, 1991

-   prior disability cessation August 1994

-   died September 15, 1994

-   widow born May 6, 1936

-   earnings 1952-70: \$383, \$2051, \$1920, \$640, \$1841, \$825,
    \$1020, \$2555, \$2674, \$3021, \$3881, \$3404, \$4693, \$4755,
    \$5967, \$6110, \$4626, \$5363, \$411; 1976-92: \$2342, \$5989,
    \$6327, \$7584, \$8975, \$9544, \$10,060, \$10,315, \$10,818,
    \$12,522, \$13,495, \$12,929, \$13,302, \$13,407, \$13,817,
    \$13,709, \$2556

### Result

-   regular PIA = \$687.60

-   re-indexed widow(er) guarantee PIA = \$714.40

-   MBA = \$510.00

## Sample case 20

Shows projected earnings, 70 years of earnings.

### Description

-   Male old-age benefit, April 2050

-   born March 10, 1962

-   retired at age 88 and 1 month

-   earnings: \$50,000 in 1996, projected backward by 1% constant
    decrease to 1980, projected forward with no increase to 2049

-   Social Security Statement assumptions

### Result

-   PIA = \$2,099.00

-   MBA = \$2,602.00

## Sample case 21

Shows re-indexed widow(er) guarantee PIA where worker died in month of
attainment of age 62, before day of attainment.

### Description

-   Aged widow benefit, October 2000

-   worker born November 8, 1934

-   prior disability onset January 15, 1981

-   prior disability cessation November 1996

-   died November 3, 1996

-   widow born October 15, 1940

-   maximum earnings, 1970-80

### Result

-   regular PIA = \$790.30

-   re-indexed widow(er) guarantee PIA = \$880.40

-   MBA = \$629.00

## Sample case 22

Shows years-of-coverage savings clause for non-covered pension offset.

### Description

-   Male old-age benefit, July 2014

-   born June 22, 1952

-   earnings 1966-79: \$838, \$4070, \$3951, \$3726, \$4617, \$7279,
    \$9000, \$10,800, \$12,016, \$11,744, \$14,097, \$6385, \$11,644,
    \$5037; 2002-2010: \$20,000, \$87,000, \$87,900, \$90,000, \$94,200,
    \$97,500, \$102,000, \$106,800, \$35,000

-   monthly noncovered pension of \$1500 starting June 2010

-   Social Security Statement assumptions

### Result

-   PIA = \$1,130.00

-   MBA = \$852.00

## Sample case 23

Shows use of 4 projection parameters.

### Description

-   Male disability benefit, July 2018

-   born January 15, 1973

-   disability onset January 10, 2018

-   earnings: \$60,000 in 2003, projected backward by 6% constant
    decrease to 1993, projected forward by 5% constant increase to 2018

-   user-specified benefit increases after December 2008: 3%

-   user-specified average wage increases after 2007: 4%

### Result

-   PIA = \$3,003.50

-   MBA = \$3,003.00

## Sample case 24

Shows use of childcare years.

### Description

-   Female disability benefit, January 1999

-   born January 15, 1966

-   disability onset July 15, 1998

-   maximum earnings 1987-93

-   childcare years 1980-83

### Result

-   regular PIA = \$1,468.00

-   childcare dropout year PIA = \$1,567.00

-   MBA = \$1,567.00

## Sample case 25

Shows disallowance of delayed retirement credits if not fully insured.

### Description

-   Male old-age benefit, January 2001

-   born January 15, 1930

-   retired at age 71

-   Earnings of \$5000 per year for 1991-2000

### Result

-   PIA = \$134.20

-   MBA = \$134.00

## Sample case 26

Shows applicability of delayed retirement credits if eligible for
totalization benefits.

### Description

-   Male old-age benefit, January 2002

-   born January 15, 1935

-   retired at age 67

-   Maximum earnings 1990-92

-   totalization benefit

### Result

-   PIA = \$126.30

-   MBA = \$141.00

## Sample case 27

Shows old PEBES assumptions, entered earnings, non-applicability of
non-covered pension offset, retirement at exact age 62. Compare to
sample case 4, where the non-covered pension entitlement date is at or
before the Social Security benefit entitlement date. (The benefit in
this case would be reduced beginning in October 2012.)

### Description

-   Male old-age benefit, September 2012

-   born September 2, 1950

-   retired at exact age 62

-   earnings of \$1000 in 1971-80, \$2000 in 1981-90, \$3000 in
    1991-2000, \$4000 in 2001-10

-   old PEBES assumptions

-   monthly non-covered pension of \$200 starting October 2012

### Result

-   PIA = \$366.10

-   MBA = \$274.00

## Sample case 28

Shows the effect of the MFB on a disabled widow and two child survivor
beneficiaries.

### Description

-   Survivor benefit, October 2001

-   worker born January 15, 1945

-   died March 2000

-   widow born January 15, 1950

-   widow disabled January 5, 2001

-   disabled widow benefit started October 2001

-   first child born February 15, 1990

-   child benefit started October 2001

-   second child born February 15, 1990

-   child benefit started October 2001

-   maximum earnings 1970-1998

### Result

-   PIA = \$1672.10

-   re-indexed widow(er) guarantee PIA = \$1706.10

-   MFB = \$2,926.20

-   disabled widow MBA = \$846.00

-   child MBA (two) = \$870.00

## Sample case 29

Shows the new-start method for a disability benefit with earnings after
entitlement. This is the prior disability PIA for the disability
guarantee computation in sample case 30.

### Description

-   Female disability benefit, March 1988

-   worker born January 15, 1942

-   disability onset January 15, 1967

-   first month of waiting period July 1972

-   earnings of \$500 1965-69, \$1000 1970-79, \$2000 1980-84, \$3000
    1985-87

### Result

-   PIA = \$440.30

-   MBA = \$440.00

## Sample case 30

Shows the disability guarantee method for a disability benefit with a
prior period of disability. See sample case 29 for the computation of
the previous disability cessation PIA.

### Description

-   Female disability benefit, January 1990

-   worker born January 15, 1942

-   disability onset January 1, 1990

-   previous disability onset January 15, 1967

-   previous disability entitlement January 1973

-   previous disability cessation April, 1988

-   previous disability cessation PIA \$440.30

-   previous disability cessation MFB \$673.20

-   earnings of \$500 1965-69, \$1000 1970-79, \$2000 1980-84, \$3000
    1985-89

### Result

-   PIA = \$440.30

-   MBA = \$440.00

# Registry entries

## Social Security Benefit Calculator and the Registry

The Registry system file contains information which is read by the
Social Security Benefit Calculator when it starts. The Registry does not
contain specific entries for this program when it is first installed;
all necessary information is contained within the program itself.
Thereafter, certain actions by the user may cause Registry entries to be
created or updated. Once created, the Registry entries are located in
HKEY_CURRENT_USER, Software, Social Security Administration, Anypia32.

The Registry entries consist of sections. Any of the following sections
may exist:

-   Recent File List: List of files most recently opened or saved.

-   Computation Year: Current year.

-   Field Office Info: Field office information.

-   Historical Amounts for xxxx: Historical benefit increase, average
    wage, and wage bases for year xxxx.

-   Benefit Increases Set x: Stored projected benefit increases for set
    x (1, 2, 3, or 4).

-   Catch-up Increases Set x: Stored projected catch-up benefit
    increases for set x (1, 2, 3, or 4).

-   Average Wage Increases Set x: Stored projected average wage
    increases for set x (1, 2, 3, or 4).

-   Settings: Output report margins and font size, and screen settings.

## Recent File List section in the Registry

The section of the Registry entitled **Recent File List** has one line
for each of up to four of the most recently opened or saved files. Each
line has a Name entry of Filex, where x is 1, 2, 3, or 4. The Data entry
is the full pathname of the file that was opened or saved. These names
are listed under the File menu when the Social Security Benefit
Calculator is run.

## Computation Year section in the Registry

The section of the Registry entitled **Computation Year** has one line
with a Name entry of Year. The Data entry is a 4-digit year representing
the current computation year.

## Field Office Info section in the Registry

The section of the Registry entitled **Field Office Info** has up to six
lines. Each line has two parts (a Name entry and a Data entry):

  ------------------ ----------------------------------------------------
  Name entry         Data entry

  Name               Name of district office manager.

  Title              Title of district office manager.

  Address1           First line of address of district office.

  Address2           Second line of address of district office.

  Address3           Third line of address of district office.

  Address4           Fourth line of address of district office.
  ------------------ ----------------------------------------------------

## Historical Amounts for xxxx section in the Registry

There can be sections in the Registry with titles of **Historical
Amounts for xxxx**, where xxxx is any year after the default computation
year (2009 in the current version). If there are any historical amounts
sections in the Registry, there should be one section for each year
beginning with the first possible year (2010 in the current version) and
ending with the last year for which data has been entered. If there is a
missing year, the benefit increase, average wage, and wage bases will be
set to zero for that year.

Each historical amounts section should have five lines. Each line has
two parts (a Name entry and a Data entry):

  ----------------------- -----------------------------------------------
  Name entry              Data entry

  BenefitIncrease         Benefit increase for December of year xxxx - 1.

  AverageWage             Average wage for year xxxx - 2.

  WageBase                OASDI wage base for year xxxx.

  OldLawWageBase          Old law wage base for year xxxx.

  HiWageBase              HI wage base for year xxxx.
  ----------------------- -----------------------------------------------

## Benefit Increases Set x section in the Registry

There can be up to four sections in the Registry with titles of
**Benefit Increases Set x**, where x is 1, 2, 3, or 4. Each section
should have 12 lines. Each line has two parts (a Name entry and a Data
entry):

  ------------- ---------------------------------------------------------
  Name entry    Data entry

  Year1         Benefit increase in first projected year.

  Year2         Benefit increase in second projected year.

  \...          \...

  Year10        Benefit increase in tenth projected year.

  Year11        Benefit increase in eleventh and later projected years.

  Title         Title of this set of benefit increases.
  ------------- ---------------------------------------------------------

## Catch-up Increases Set x section in the Registry

There can be up to four sections in the Registry with titles of
**Catch-up Increases Set x**, where x is 1, 2, 3, or 4. Each section
should have 80 lines. Each line has two parts (a Name entry and a Data
entry):

  ------------ -----------------------------------------------------------
  Name entry   Data entry

  Year0Year2   Catch-up benefit increase for first year of eligibility,
               for 2 years after current year.

  Year0Year3   Catch-up benefit increase for first year of eligibility,
               for 3 years after current year.

  \...         \...

  Year0Year9   Catch-up benefit increase for first year of eligibility,
               for 9 years after current year.

  Year1Year2   Catch-up benefit increase for second year of eligibility,
               for 2 years after current year.

  \...         \...

  Year1Year9   Catch-up benefit increase for second year of eligibility,
               for 9 years after current year.

  \...         \...

  Year9Year9   Catch-up benefit increase for tenth year of eligibility,
               for 9 years after current year.
  ------------ -----------------------------------------------------------

## Average Wage Increases Set x section in the Registry

There can be up to four sections in the Registry with titles of
**Average Wage Increases Set x**, where x is 1, 2, 3, or 4. Each section
should have 13 lines. Each line has two parts (a Name entry and a Data
entry):

  ------------ ----------------------------------------------------------
  Name entry   Data entry

  Year1        Average wage increase in last historical year.

  Year2        Average wage increase in first projected year.

  \...         \...

  Year11       Average wage increase in tenth projected year.

  Year12       Average wage increase in eleventh and later projected
               years.

  Title        Title of this set of average wage increases.
  ------------ ----------------------------------------------------------

## Settings section in the Registry

The section of the Registry entitled **Settings** has up to six lines.
Each line has two parts (a Name entry and a Data entry):

  --------------- --------------------------------------------------------
  Name entry      Data entry

  Left Margin     Left margin of printed report, in inches.

  No Introduction Indicator for showing introductory dialog box (0 to show
                  dialog, 1 to not show dialog).

  PrinterPoints   Font size for printed output in points.

  ScreenPoints    Font size for screen output in points.

  Top Margin      Top margin of printed report, in inches.
  --------------- --------------------------------------------------------

# For developers only

## Input data from a file

Input can be entered from a file by choosing **File** from the main menu
and **Open\...** from the pulldown menu. If the file was originally
created by this program, then it will automatically be in the correct
format to be read back into the program. It is possible to create a file
with the required information, in the correct format, outside of this
program (for instance, in another program running against a database of
worker information). However, the file created must be in exactly the
correct format or this program will detect an error and stop. See File
structure for a description of the required file structure.

## Source code

The source code for the Social Security Benefit Calculator is
downloadable from the Social Security Administration web site). Go to
http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/anypia/source.html for more information about
the source code and instructions on downloading it.

# Glossary

## AIME

Average Indexed Monthly Earnings. The amount of earnings used in
determining the PIA for most workers who attain age 62, become disabled,
or die after 1978. A worker\'s actual past earnings are adjusted by
changes in the average wage index, in order to bring them up to their
approximately equivalent value at the time of retirement or other
eligibility for benefits.

## AME

Average Monthly Earnings. The amount of earnings used in determining the
PIA for most workers who attain age 62, become disabled, or die before
1979. A worker\'s actual past earnings are summed over the appropriate
number of years, then divided by the number of months in those years.

## MBA

Monthly benefit amount. A beneficiary\'s monthly benefit amount is based
on the PIA, but may be reduced or increased for various reasons. For
aged beneficiaries (old-age, spouse, or widow(er)), actuarial reduction
applies for receipt before full retirement age. For old-age
beneficiaries, delayed retirement credit applies for receipt after full
retirement age. For auxiliary beneficiaries (spouse or child), a benefit
factor applies to the PIA.

## MFB

Maximum Family Benefit. The maximum monthly amount that can be paid on a
worker\'s earnings record. Whenever the total of the individual monthly
benefits payable to all the beneficiaries entitled on one earnings
record exceeds the maximum, each dependent\'s or survivor\'s benefit is
proportionately reduced to bring the total within the maximum. Benefits
payable to divorced spouses or surviving divorced spouses are not
reduced under the family maximum provision.

## Military service wage credits

Credits recognizing that military personnel receive wages in kind (such
as food and shelter) in addition to their basic pay and other cash
payments. Noncontributory wage credits of \$160 were provided for each
month of active military service from September 16, 1940, through
December 31, 1956. For years after 1956, the basic pay of military
personnel is covered under the Social Security program on a contributory
basis. In addition to the contributory credits for basic pay,
noncontributory wage credits of \$300 were granted for each calendar
quarter, from January 1957 through December 1977, in which a person
received pay for military service. Noncontributory wage credits of \$100
were granted for each \$300 of military wages, up to a maximum credit of
\$1200 per calendar year, from January 1978 through December 2001.

## PIA

Primary Insurance Amount. The monthly amount payable to a retired worker
who begins to receive benefits at full retirement age or (generally) to
a disabled worker. This amount, which is related to the worker\'s AIME,
is also the amount used as a base for computing all types of benefits
payable on the basis of one individual\'s earnings record.

## Quarters of coverage

Quarters of coverage, which are also called QCs or credits, are the
basic unit that workers earn in order to become insured for benefits.
Before 1978, quarters of coverage were earned by having wages above \$50
in a calendar quarter, with 4 quarters of coverage earned if a worker
earns the taxable maximum for a year. In 1978, the earning of quarters
of coverage was changed to an annual basis, with the amount needed for
each quarter of coverage adjusted annually for inflation. In some cases,
quarters of coverage can be earned through railroad earnings or periods
of military service.

The calculator computes quarters of coverage from annual earnings in
1978 and later automatically. For quarters of coverage earned before
1978, you have the option of entering the lump-sum total you earned or
annual figures. See Summary quarters of coverage information for more
information on how to enter pre-1978 quarters of coverage.

## Trustees Report

The Board of Trustees of the Social Security Trust Funds report each
year on the current and projected financial condition of the Social
Security program, which is financed through two separate trust funds.
The Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund pays monthly
benefits to retired workers (including disabled workers who have reached
normal retirement age) and their families and to survivors of deceased
workers. The Disability Insurance (DI) Trust Fund pays monthly benefits
to disabled workers and their families. The report on the current
financial status of the funds includes an accounting of the actual
income and expenditures for the last year. For future years, the
projections of the trust funds\' financial condition reflect the
Trustees\' considered judgment after review of available evidence and
expert opinion about all the economic and demographic factors that
affect income and expenditures. Projections are presented separately for
the next 10 years (the short range) and for the next 75 years (the long
range).

Although, in general, a greater degree of certainty can be presumed for
projections encompassing the next few years than for a period as long as
the next 75 years, any estimation of the future is uncertain. Therefore,
three alternative sets of economic and demographic assumptions are used
to show a range of possible outcomes for all projections. The
\"intermediate\" set of assumptions, designated as alternative II,
reflects the Trustees\' \"best estimates\" of future experience; the
\"low cost\" alternative I is more optimistic, and the \"high cost\"
alternative III more pessimistic for the trust funds\' future financial
outlook. For both the short range and the long range, however, it is
important to understand that the projections in this report are only an
indication of the expected trend and likely range of future trust fund
experience. Also, all projections are based on the Social Security
program provisions in current law and are not intended to anticipate any
changes in these provisions that might be made in the future.

The 2008 Trustees Report is available at the Social Security
Administration\'s web site at
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/TR/TR08/index.html.

A printed copy of the latest Trustees Report may be obtained by writing
to:

Office of the Actuary\
Room 700 Altmeyer Bldg.\
Baltimore, MD 21235

## Totalization

Totalization agreements between the U.S. and foreign countries provide
for limited coordination of U.S. and foreign social security programs.
The agreements help eliminate situations where workers suffer a loss of
benefit rights because they have divided their careers between the U.S.
and a foreign country. Under an agreement, workers may qualify for
partial U.S. or foreign benefits, called totalization benefits, based on
combined work credits from both countries.

In order to be eligible for totalization benefits, the worker must: 1)
not be insured for benefits based on U.S. coverage alone, 2) have at
least 6 quarters of coverage, and 3) have substantial work in a foreign
country with a totalization agreement.

# Contacting the Social Security Administration

## Obtaining a Social Security Statement

Your Social Security Statement is a concise, easy-to-read personal
record of the earnings on which you have paid Social Security taxes
during your working years and a summary of the estimated benefits you
and your family may receive as a result of those earnings.

The Social Security Administration provides the Statements in two ways:
in automatic annual mailings to workers and former workers aged 25 and
older and at any time to workers of any age who request them.

The Social Security Administration hopes that you will keep your
Statement with your other important papers and use it in several ways:

-   First, the benefit estimates in your Statement can play an important
    role in your financial planning. When combined with your savings,
    investments and other pensions, your Social Security benefits can
    help you build a secure future for yourself and your family.

-   Second, the Statement can help you make sure that your reported
    earnings and other important information such as your name and date
    of birth are correct on your record. Mistakes could keep you from
    getting all the Social Security benefits you have earned. The sooner
    you identify mistakes, the easier it will be to help us correct
    them.

-   And finally, the general information on the Statement tells you
    about all the protection you are earning under Social Security. Many
    people think of Social Security only as a retirement program. The
    Statement shows how even young workers are building valuable
    protection in case they become disabled or die before they reach
    retirement age.

You can request a Social Security Statement online at
http://www.ssa.gov/mystatement/.

## Technical support

Within the Social Security Administration, designated local support
personnel should be contacted for technical support.

We welcome your suggestions and comments. However, we are unable to
provide technical support outside of the Social Security Administration
except on a very limited basis. If you would like to get in contact with
us for technical support, you can send:

-   e-mail to:[\
    ]{.underline}CalculatorMaster@ssa.gov, or

-   regular mail to:\
    Calculator Master\
    Room 760 Altmeyer Bldg.\
    6401 Security Blvd.\
    Baltimore, MD 21235.

If you have questions about your own earnings record or Social Security
benefit, you should contact the Social Security Administration (see
Personal assistance for more information). Do not use the address above
for personal assistance; your request will not be answered.

## Personal assistance

You may obtain clarification or assistance on Social Security matters at
any Social Security office or by calling the Social Security toll-free
telephone number, 1-800-772-1213.

## Other resources

The Social Security Administration offers many resources to help you
learn about Social Security in general or to help you with your own
benefit claim.

-   The Social Security Handbook is one of numerous publications about
    the Social Security programs. It also contains brief descriptions of
    related programs administered by other agencies. It is a readable,
    easy to understand resource for the very complex Social Security
    programs and services.

-   You may obtain clarification or assistance on Social Security
    matters as described under Personal assistance.

-   We are working on a publication named **OASDI Digest**, which
    explains in detail how Social Security benefits are computed. We
    hope to provide it in a future version of this help file. In the
    meantime, you can request an electronic version (in PDF format), or
    a printed version, of the latest draft of the **OASDI Digest** by
    contacting us at the addresses given under Technical support.

# Index

#  {#section .unnumbered}

A

ad hoc wage bases 50

address

field office 58

worker 22

address 22

age of retirement 26

aged husband beneficiary 40, 41

aged widow(er) beneficiary 25, 38, 40

aged wife beneficiary 40, 41

AIME 99

AME 99

assumptions

average wage increase 44, 47, 48, 49, 51, 65

benefit increase 44, 45, 46, 50, 62

catch-up benefit increase 47, 51

wage base 44, 52

automatic wage bases 50

average earnings 54

Average Indexed Monthly Earnings 99

Average Monthly Earnings 99

average wage 59, 60

average wage increase 44, 47, 48, 49, 51, 64, 65, 95

B

backward earnings projection 30, 31

benefit increase 44, 45, 46, 50, 59, 60, 61, 62, 94

blindness 24

Board of Trustees 49, 100

C

calculate 13

catch-up benefit increase 47, 51, 62, 63, 94

child life beneficiary 40

child survivor beneficiary 25, 38

childcare year 55, 77

computation year 56, 93

credits 100

D

date of benefit 29

date of birth

family member 37

worker 21

date of cessation 35, 36

date of death 22

date of entitlement

family member 37

worker 28, 35, 36

date of onset

family member 42

worker 35, 36

deemed insured 24

description of the Calculator 1

disability 34, 35, 36

disability benefit 24, 25

disability guarantee 35, 36, 37, 77

disabled widow(er) beneficiary 25, 38, 39, 42

divorced aged husband beneficiary 40, 42

divorced aged wife beneficiary 40, 42

divorced disabled widow(er) beneficiary 25, 38, 39

divorced widow(er) beneficiary 25, 38, 40

E

earnings 22, 23, 29, 30, 32, 53, 54, 55, 70

earnings projection 30, 31, 33

earnings projection factor 31, 33

earnings projection percentage 31, 33

eligibility 51

employee taxes 54

entered earnings 53

entering data 3

exit 17

F

family member

date of birth 37

date of entitlement 37

date of onset 42

number 25

report 71

father beneficiary 25, 39

female 24

field office

address 57, 58, 93

manager\'s name 57, 93

manager\'s title 57, 93

file structure 4, 97

files

managing 11, 12, 17

first year of earnings 26, 29, 31

font size

report 14, 95

screen 20, 95

Forms menu commands 20

forward earnings projection 31, 32, 33

H

high earnings 54

historical amounts 59, 94

I

initial entitlement 29

initialization 93

install

MacOS 3

Windows 3

insured 24, 70

L

last year of earnings 30, 33

life beneficiary 37, 40, 41, 42

low earnings 54

M

MacOS 3

male 24

margins 13, 14, 95

maximum earnings 54

Maximum Family Benefit 99

MBA 99

Medicare 23, 53, 54

MFB 99

military service 23, 42

military service wage credits 99

month of processing 27

Monthly Benefit Amount 99

mother beneficiary 25, 39

N

name 21

new case 3

new-start method 72

noncovered pension 26, 27, 33, 73

O

OASDI Digest 104

old-age benefit 24, 25

old-law wage base 52, 60

old-start method 71

P

PEBES 46, 48, 50

Personal Earnings and Benefit Estimate Statement 50

PIA 100

planned retirement age 26

Primary Insurance Amount 100

printing and print preview 14, 15, 16

projection

average wage increase 44, 51

benefit increase 44, 45, 50

catch-up benefit increase 51

earnings 22, 30, 32

wage base 44, 50, 52

Properties menu commands 55

Q

quarters of coverage 24, 43, 44, 53, 54, 55, 69, 70, 100

R

railroad

earnings 23, 55

quarters of coverage 55

recalculation 29

recent file list 93

Registry 93, 94, 95

regular Social Security earnings 22

re-indexed widow(er) guarantee 76

report

font size 14, 95

information 67

margins 13, 14, 95

S

screen

font size 20, 95

self-employed taxes 54

sex 24

Social Security Handbook 104

Social Security number 21

Social Security Statement 22, 24, 25, 54, 67, 103

source code 97

special minimum 75

Statement 26, 27, 67, 68, 69

status bar 19

stored average wage increase 64

stored benefit increase 61

stored catch-up benefit increase 62, 63

summary of results 70

survivor beneficiary 37, 38, 39, 40

survivor benefit 24, 25

T

taxes 53, 54, 78

technical support 103, 104

title

average wage increases 49, 65

benefit increases 46, 62

toolbar 18

totalization 22, 70, 77, 101

transitional guarantee 75

trust fund 49, 100

Trustees Report 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 61, 62, 63, 64, 100

type of benefit 24

type of earnings 53

type of taxes 54

U

uninstall

MacOS 3

Windows 3

W

wage base 44, 50, 52, 59, 60

wage-indexed formula 73

waiting period 35, 36

Windfall Elimination Provision 26, 27, 33, 73

Windows 3

worker

address 22

date of birth 21

date of death 22

date of entitlement 28, 35, 36

date of onset 35, 36

information 20, 28

name 21

sex 24

Social Security number 21

Y

year of earnings 53

year of eligibility 51

young husband beneficiary 40, 41

young wife beneficiary 40, 41

#