Learn how your Social Security retirement benefits will be reduced if you start receiving them before your full retirement age. Find out the percentage of reduction by year of birth and the factors to consider before making your decision.

Create or sign in to your personal my Social Security account to access retirement benefit estimates, application status, and more. You can also get notices online instead of by mail and choose to receive email or text alerts.

Learn how to apply for Social Security retirement benefits online, by phone, or in person. Find out what information and documents you need, how to check your earnings record, and when to start your benefits.

Learn how to apply for retirement benefits, understand your benefits, and manage your account online. Find out how Social Security fits into your retirement plan and get personalized estimates and resources.

Learn how to apply for retirement benefits online, by phone, or in person up to 4 months before you want to start receiving them. Find out how to sign up for Medicare and contact the Social Security office if needed.

Learn how Social Security replaces a percentage of your pre-retirement income based on your earnings and when you start benefits. Find out how to check your earnings history, estimate your benefits, and understand the factors that affect your retirement benefits.

General Retirement Questions. What is the maximum Social Security retirement benefit payable? How do I apply for Social Security retirement benefits? What is full retirement age?

Find information and services for retirement, disability, Medicare, and more. Apply for benefits, check status, update information, and access your account online.

That’s the foundation the Social Security Administration uses to calculate your benefits, using a three-step process. First, Social Security adjusts your earnings for historical changes in U.S. wages, takes your 35 best-paid years and produces what it calls your average indexed monthly earnings (AIME).