How the Retirement Estimator Works 
The Retirement Estimator gives estimates based on your actual Social Security earnings record. Please keep in mind that these are just estimates. Estimate Your Retirement Benefits We can t provide your actual benefit amount until you apply for benefits. And that amount may differ from the estimates provided because : Your earnings may increase or decrease in the future. After you start receiving benefits , they will be adjusted for cost - of - living increases. Your estimated benefits are based on current law. The law governing benefit amounts may change because, by 2035, the combined trust fund reserves are projected to become depleted one year later than projected last year. Payroll taxes collected will be enough to pay only about 80 cents for each dollar of scheduled benefits. Your benefit amount may be affected by military service, railroad employment or pensions earned through work on which you did not pay Social Security tax. 

Who Can Use the Retirement Estimator 
You can use the Retirement Estimator if : You have enough Social Security credits at this time to qualify for benefits and You are not : Currently receiving benefits on your own Social Security record ; Waiting for a decision about your application for benefits or Medicare ; Age 62 or older and receiving benefits on another Social Security record ; or Eligible for a Pension Based on Work Not Covered By Social Security. If you are currently receiving only Medicare benefits , you can still get an estimate. For more information go to this link for our publication Retirement Information For Medicare Beneficiaries. If you cannot use the Retirement Estimator or you want a survivors or disability benefit estimate , please use one of our other benefit Calculators. 

How Long Can You Stay On Each Page? 
For security reasons , there are time limits for viewing each page. You will receive a warning after 25 minutes without doing anything , and you will be able to extend yo

user: I would like to apply for retirement benefits but am having trouble completing the application online, it keep timing out. How long do I have to work on each page before it times out?

assistant: Yes pages do time out. This is done for security reasons. After you have been in a page for 25 minutes and not been active on the page you will receive a warning that the page is about to time out, however, you will be able to extend your time on the page. After the third warning on a page you will  have to move to another page.

user: If the page times out after the third warning will the information that I have entered be saved or will I have to start all over again?

user: Thank you. Will I be able to start a new session and complete the information if it has not been saved?


assistant: You will be able to start using the Retirement Estimator again. You will,  however, have to check if you are eligible to use the Retirement Estimator.

user: What are the requirement and how does the Retirement Estimator work?

assistant: You must remember that the Retirement Estimator cannot provide your actual benefit amount until you have applied for benefits. The amount may differ from the estimates provide as you earnings may increase or decrease in the future.