Use one of the benefit calculators to find your estimated Social Security benefit. How much could you receive monthly?

Chapter 11:  11.2 #2 (p. 276)

  • As part of your planning, how can you estimate what you can expect from Social Security as a contribution to your retirement income? Find this answer by going to http://www.ssa.gov/retire2. Using the menus at this site, find out your retirement age.
  • How many credits toward Social Security do you have now?
  • How many do you expect to accumulate over your working life?
  • Use one of the benefit calculators to find your estimated Social Security benefit. How much could you receive monthly?
  • Would you be able to live on your Social Security alone?
  • How much more would you need to save for? What would happen if you continued to work or went back to work after taking your retirement benefit?
  • What would happen if you took your benefit before your full retirement age?

 

Chapter 14:  14.1 #1 (p. 340) [no need to discuss with classmates]

Go to a financial news source to find out the status of all the economic indicators at this time. Make note of your findings and the date for purposes of comparison.

  • How does the information inform you as an investor?
  • How might these survey results inform you as an investor?