With growing uncertainty about the future of Social Security
funding, the Social Security Administration (SSA) suspended mailings of its
annual statements. The move is expected to save the agency $60 million in
fiscal 2012.

Previously, the SSA had sent all working Americans an annual
statement about three months before their birthday. The statement included
one's lifetime earnings record, as well as estimates of retirement, disability,
and family survivor benefits. It also reported earned credits, which indicated
if one would qualify for Medicare at age 65.

Mailings for the remainder of 2012 will be limited to workers
over 60, and longer term, the agency is working on an online download option for
everyone else.

In the interim, you can access the same information online at
SSA.gov, using one of the following methods:

• The Retirement Estimator gives estimates
  of your retirement monthly benefit, based on your actual Social Security
  earnings record. The calculator shows early (age 62), full (ages 65-67
  depending upon your year of birth), and delayed (age 70). The Retirement
  Estimator also lets you create additional "what if" retirement
  scenarios based on current law.
• If you do not have an earnings record with Social Security or cannot access it,
  there are also other benefit calculators that do not tie into your earnings
  record. The calculators will show your retirement benefits as well as
  disability and survivor benefit amounts if you should become disabled or die.

Social Security should be a part of your retirement income
planning. Make a point of checking out your estimated benefits at least
annually so you know how much to expect -- and how much you'll need to provide
from your own savings.

Also, remember that Social Security benefits don't
automatically increase every year. In 2011, benefits stayed the same as the
previous year. For 2012, benefits will rise by 3.6% to reflect an increase in
inflation

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November 2011 — This column is provided through the
Financial Planning Association, the membership organization for the financial
planning community, and is brought to you by Ronald J. VanSurksum, CFP® , a
local member of FPA.

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