Learn About Retirement Benefits 
We want you to know what Social Security can mean for you and your family s financial future. In this section , you can learn how Social Security works, who s eligible for retirement benefits, and what to consider before applying. Read on to understand how Social Security fits into your retirement plan. 

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Start your application today Apply Online For Retirement Benefits Jump to a topic on this page : How Retirement Benefits Work / Planning For Retirement / Deciding When To Start Retirement Benefits / What Else Affects Your Retirement Benefits 

How Retirement Benefits Work 
Social Security replaces a percentage of a worker s pre - retirement income based on their lifetime earnings. The portion of your pre - retirement wages that Social Security replaces is based on your highest 35 years of earnings and varies depending on how much you earn and when you choose to start benefits. The Social Security system works like this : when you work, you pay taxes into Social Security. We use the tax money to pay benefits to : People who have already retired. People who are disabled. Survivors of workers who have died. Dependents of beneficiaries. The money you pay in taxes isn t held in a personal account for you to use when you get benefits. We use your taxes to pay people who are getting benefits right now. Any unused money goes to a Social Security trust fund that pays monthly benefits to you and your family when you start receiving retirement benefits. 

Additional Information 
An Overview Of Retirement Benefits Your Retirement Benefit : How It s Figured Benefits For Your Family 

FAQs 
What is the current maximum amount of taxable earnings for Social Security? 

Planning For Retirement 
Planning is the key to creating your best retirement. You ll need to plan and save for years to achieve your retirement goals. While many factors affect retirement planning , we want you to understand what Social Security can mean to you a

user: Hello, I would like to obtain information about Retirement Planning

assistant: Of course Planning is the key to creating your best retirement. You will have to plan and save for years to reach your retirement goals.

assistant: know the factors that can affect retirement planning?

user: if I want to meet them

assistant: We want you to understand what Social Security can mean to you and your family's financial future.

user: How do retirement benefits work?

assistant: Social Security replaces a percentage of a worker's pre-retirement income based on his or her lifetime income.s The portion of his or her pre-retirement wages that Social Security replaces is based on their highest earnings of 35 years And it varies depending on how much you earn and when you choose to start benefits.

user: The pre-retirement wages that Social Security replaces are based on what?

assistant: on your highest income of 35 years and varies according to how much you earn and when you choose to start benefits.

user: and what do you do with the unused money?

assistant: The unused money goes to a Social Security trust fund that pays monthly benefits to you and your family when you start receiving retirement benefits.

user: What types of income include special rules?

assistant: includes for example non-profit or religious organizations