Linda Zamfino: Financial Planning Assistance

It wasn't all that long ago when New York Giants' quarterback Eli Manning was named the Superbowl's Most Valuable Player (MVP) after leading his team to victory against the New England Patriots, 17-14. It's very apparent that a savvy quarterback and great play calling can be the secret to a successful football season.

The same is true for a successful retirement - except you are the quarterback and you call the plays - for example, when to retire and how much to save.

Even Eli's older brother, Super-Bowl-winning quarterback Peyton Manning can tell you that the most talented quarterback can't rack up a Super Bowl winning performance without excellent coaching and a playbook.

Social Security understands the same is true when it comes to retirement planning. While you will have to call your own financial plays, we can help you decide what "play options" might be successful in any given situation.

For example, how much can you expect to get from Social Security?

How much more could you get if you worked a year longer?

Two years?

What about your spouse, if you are married?

And how much should you be saving in addition to your expected Social Security benefits?

All of these questions can be answered simply by visiting our Social Security Web site at www.socialsecurity.gov. It's like training camp for financial planning.

There you will find several financial planning tools, including our new, easy-to-use "retirement estimator." You can use it to get quick retirement estimates based upon your own earnings record.

All you have to do is provide some very basic information about yourself - your name, Social Security number, date and place of birth, your mother's maiden name and your last year's earnings. The retirement estimator will then create Social Security benefit estimates instantly.

The estimator shows what you would receive in Social Security benefits if you retired at age 62, what you would receive at your full retirement age and what you would receive if you worked until age 70.

Interested in other play options, such as what would happen if you made more money in the future?

Or, if you want to stop work at a different age other than the three basic schemes we show, you can try out alternate game plans using various screens on the retirement estimator page. Just in case you change your mind about your initial retirement plans.

Remember what one of football's most accomplished and respected coaches, Vince Lombardi, said: "There's only one way to succeed in anything, and that is to give it everything."

So give everything you have to creating a playbook for your retirement. The best place to begin your game plan for a successful retirement is at www.socialsecurity.gov.

Linda Zamfino is a Social Security public affairs specialist.