What Social Security benefit estimate should I print before applying? Different amounts showing at different ages

Yes, you're looking at the right thing. That statement showing all three amounts is exactly what you should print out. It's your Social Security Statement and shows your estimated benefits at different claiming ages. Print the entire statement (usually several pages) as it also shows your earnings history which is what SSA uses to calculate your benefits. Keep this as documentation in case there are any discrepancies when you actually apply. I printed mine last year before applying and was glad I did - the SSA rep had a slightly different number and I was able to show them my statement.

my mom didnt print hers out and ended up getting like $200 less than what she saw online! always keep receipts when dealing with the government lol

To clarify what you're seeing, you're looking at your Social Security Statement. This document shows your estimated retirement benefits at early retirement (age 62), your Full Retirement Age (FRA), and age 70. What you should print is the ENTIRE statement, not just the summary page. The full statement includes: 1. Your estimated benefit amounts 2. Your earnings record/history (very important!) 3. Information about disability and survivor benefits 4. General information about Social Security The reason everyone recommends printing this before applying is because your earnings record is what determines your benefit amount. If there are any discrepancies in your earnings history, it will affect your payment. By printing it beforehand, you have documentation of what was shown to you before applying. I recommend printing a new statement within 30 days of applying, as the estimates can change if additional earnings are reported or if there are inflation adjustments.

PRINT IT ALL OUT!!! And check your work history CAREFULLY!! I found THREE YEARS of missing earnings on mine and had to go dig up tax returns from the 1990s to prove I actually worked those years. SSA doesn't make it easy to correct these mistakes and they have a 3-year time limit for corrections (though sometimes they'll make exceptions). The difference in my monthly payment was almost $300 because of those missing years!!!

I think everyone's talking about the Social Security Statement. It shows your benefit estimates at different ages and your earnings history. But when I applied last year, the SSA website was giving me problems and I couldn't access my statement beforehand. I spent DAYS trying to call SSA to get help but kept getting disconnected or waiting for hours. Super frustrating.

Does anyone know if the estimate they show u is before or after they take out the Medicare premium?? I'm confused bc sometimes I see different numbers on different pages of the statement...

The document everyone is referring to is your Social Security Statement. Here's a step-by-step process for obtaining and saving it properly: 1. Log into your my Social Security account at ssa.gov 2. Select "Get Your Social Security Statement" 3. Review the statement for accuracy, especially your earnings record 4. Use the "Print this page" function to print the ENTIRE document (usually 4-5 pages) 5. Also save it as a PDF to your computer 6. Store both the physical and digital copies securely The statement shows three primary benefit estimates: early retirement (as early as 62), Full Retirement Age (between 66-67 depending on birth year), and age 70 (maximum benefit). This document serves as your baseline when you apply. I recommend printing a new statement within a month of applying, as estimates can change with COLA adjustments or new earnings being posted.

wait do we need to print it? cant we just save the pdf? my printer is always out of ink lol

Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! I printed out my full statement (all 5 pages) and found one year where my earnings seemed lower than I remembered. Going to dig up my W-2 from that year to compare. So glad I asked this question before applying!