Getting Started

The Future of Social Security

Social security probably won’t do it. The future of the Social Security system is unclear. But one thing is fairly certain. Your future Social Security retirement benefit will probably be much less than the amount of income you’ll need. The question is, how much less?



How Much of a Gap?

Source: Social Security Administration and NPI, 2011

*75 percent of pre-retirement income. According the U.S. Department of Labor, experts estimate retirees need about 70 percent of their pre-retirement income—lower earners, 90 percent or more—to maintain their standard of living.

Social Security benefits were calculated using the Social Security Administration’s online benefit calculator (www.ssa.gov) and assume the person retired in February 2011 at full retirement age.