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: Yes hello I filled out all of the information in the Retirement Estimator and it took a long time. When I came back from answering the door, all of the information was gone. What happened?

assistant: Oh that's too bad. Were you gone for a long time?

user: Yes I guess I was.

assistant: For reasons of security, there are time limits for viewing each page.

user: How much will I get if I apply for retirement benefits?

assistant: I'm sorry but we can't provide your actual benefit amount until you go through the process of applying for benefits.

user: If I re-enter all of my data in the Estimator will the page crash again?

assistant: It shouldn't, usually you will receive a warning after 25 minutes of being idle then you should be able to extend your time on the page.

user: Is there an ultimate time limit?

assistant: Yes, after the third warning on a page, you must move to another page.

user: Can anyone use the Retirement Estimator?

assistant: You can use the Retirement Estimator if you have enough Social Security credits at this time to qualify for benefits.

user: And there is no age restriction?

assistant: If you are age 62 or older and receiving benefits on another Social Security record, you may not use it.

user: So I'll be able to have an accurate estimate of my benefits?

assistant: Although the Retirement Estimator gives estimates based on your actual Social Security earnings, it remains just an estimate due to various circumstances such as fluctuations in future wage earnings.