Retirement Guides and Checklists

This quick reference guide provides key Social Security numbers to help you in planning. The percentages shown here are applied to the primary insurance amount (PIA) of the worker on whose earnings record benefits are being claimed. The PIA can be found on the worker’s Social Security statement. It is an estimate of the benefit amount if claimed at full retirement age (FRA). You can obtain your latest statement by opening an account at ssa.gov/myaccount.

This quick reference guide provides key Social Security numbers to help you in planning.

Claiming Social Security benefits can be one of the more complicated decisions you will make when planning for retirement. There are a multitude of rules that can have a significant and lasting impact on your future income stream and overall financial picture. To help make this analysis easier, we have created the “Will My Social Security Benefits Be Reduced?” flowchart.

There are lots of important numbers to keep in mind when planning for retirement. In some cases, those numbers are annual limits that change each year. Other times, the figures do not often change but are used frequently. Given the variety of sources that report relevant numbers, it can be difficult to quickly find the right reference when you need it. In response to this challenge, we’ve created the two-page “Important Numbers” resource.

High inflation has been on everyone’s mind, and many are wondering what they can do to take action.

Although increasingly rare, employer pensions can make up a considerable portion of some retirees' expected retirement benefits. Whether they are nearing retirement or are already receiving ongoing pension payments, some individuals may have the option to choose a lump sum distribution/buyout instead of a lifetime stream of payments. Several factors must be analyzed in order to determine what course is best for each retiree's unique circumstances.