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					Get an estimate 
					of your future Social Security benefit. In just a few 
					minutes, you can have an instant, personalized estimate of 
					your future Social Security benefit.  Our online 
					Retirement Estimator gives estimates based on your 
					actual Social Security earnings record. This is valuable to 
					know when you’re making plans for your future. Check it out 
					at 
					
					
					www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator.
					 
					Read your mail. 
					Be especially careful about looking at mail that arrives 
					from Social Security. About two to three months before your 
					birthday, you should receive your annual Social Security 
					Statement. Your Statement is a concise, 
					easy-to-read personal record of the earnings on which you 
					have paid Social Security taxes during your working years 
					and a summary of the estimated benefits you and your family 
					may receive in retirement, survivors or disability benefits 
					as a result of those earnings.  
					Deciding to diet, 
				exercise, read more books, or watch less television are all good 
				resolutions.  But the ones we suggest don’t require nearly as 
				much work and won’t nag you all year long. Take a few minutes 
				now, and you could have this list of resolutions knocked out in 
				less time than it takes to put together a list of resolutions.Visit the 
					ballpark. Not that one; the Ballpark Estimator. 
					It will help you do a better job of saving for your future. 
					It’s true that times have been tough lately. But no matter 
					how much you earn, it’s a good idea to try to save.  Check 
					out the Ballpark Estimator for a projection of how 
					much you should save for a comfortable retirement. Go to the 
					ballpark at 
					
					
					www.choosetosave.org/ballpark.
					 Happy New Year from Social 
				Security. Feel free to visit us anytime at 
				
				
				www.socialsecurity.gov.
 
				By Judith Bartels Social Security 
				District Manager in Springfield, IL  
 
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