Does the Quick Calculator assume I will have covered earnings up to the year in which I start receiving a retirement benefit? What if I stop working sooner?
Unless you specify a retirement date that precedes the date when you reach age 62 (the earliest age at which you can receive retirement benefits), the calculator assumes you will have covered earnings up to the year in which you start receiving a benefit. If you plan to retire before you attain age 62, please be sure to give the month and year of your future retirement date. Please note that your benefit generally will be somewhat lower; the earlier you stop working, the lower it will be. If you have already stopped working and have no earnings in the current year, be sure to enter 0 for current year earnings and then enter the last year in which you had earnings and the amount of such earnings.
