It's never too early to start planning your retirement. Social Security has an important tool to help you with your retirement planning. Workers who pay into Social Security will receive a Social Security Statement every year 3 months before their birthday.

This Statement is intended to help you plan your financial future by providing estimates of the monthly Social Security retirement, disability and survivors benefits you and your family could be eligible to receive now and in the future. If you are near retirement age (age 62 and older) and are considering retirement, contact your local Social Security office to discuss your retirement options, or call 1-800-772-1213 to speak to a Social Security representative who will answer your questions. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call our "TTY" number, 1-800-325-0778, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on business days.

You should also use Social Security's Retirement Planner at www.socialsecurity.gov/retire2/

Generally, people should apply for retirement benefits no more than 4 months before they want their benefits to begin. Even if you have no plans to receive benefits, you should still sign up for Medicare 3 months before age 65.