Planning for retirement, including learning the basics of Social Security, should begin well before you actually retire.
Based on the questions I receive, advance planning is not always done.
Lots of SSA retirement planning information is on the Social Security website, www.socialsecurity.gov, in the Retirement Benefits section and especially in the Retirement Planner area at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/retire2/.
Here is a partial list of Retirement Planner topics:
Finding your retirement age (full retirement age – FRA)
Estimating your retirement benefits and other calculators
Working after retirement
Discover your retirement options
Benefits for family members
Needed documents
Online retirement application
Applying just for Medicare
Someday you will want to retire. Start planning today to make someday possible.