Q. When should I start planning my retirement?

A. 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. 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.

Q. When it's the best to apply for retirement benefits?

A. If you're thinking about retiring in the near future, now would be a good time to call Social Security. If you plan to retire before you reach age 65, you'll only be able to collect Social Security benefits starting in the month that you apply. If you're over age 65, you can collect benefits for up to six months before you file your application for benefits. That's why it's a good idea to contact Social Security first. Then you'll find out what the best time is in your particular case.

Q. Why does my Social Security Statement have my old address on it? I moved months ago.

A. If you received a Social Security Statement showing an incorrect address that means the U.S. Postal Service forwarded it to you. It also means you need to contact the Internal Revenue Service (1-800-829-3676) to ask for a change of address form (IRS Form 8822). Otherwise you may not get your Social Security Statement next year.

Social Security doesn't maintain addresses for people who are not receiving monthly benefits. Instead, the IRS furnishes Social Security with the addresses for the statements.