Providing for health care is an important part of retirement.  This publication provides information on the circumstances when employer-provided retiree health benefits can be reduced or terminated and the importance of reviewing your plan documents.

If you have participated in a traditional pension plan, a 401(k), or other employment-based retirement plan, you will want to know how to file a claim for your benefits. This publication outlines some of your plan's obligations and briefly explains the procedures and timelines.
For Spanish article click here.

The Federal Ballpark Estimate is a savings goal worksheet.  The Federal Ballpark Estimate is modeled on the Ballpark Estimated developed in partnership with the American Savings Education Council (ASEC).  It is tailored to include the retirement benefits of Federal employees.  You can use the Federal Ballpark Estimate to automatically calculate estimates of future Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) retirement benefits and Thrift Savings Plan account balances.  It will also let you know how well you are doing in meeting your savings goal.

This easy-to-understand publication starts you on the way to setting goals and putting your retirement high on the list of personal priorities.  This booklet will help clarify your retirement goals and help you make saving for retirement and other goals a habit.  You’ll learn that there is no such thing as starting too early or too late.
For Spanish article click here.

More and more employees are saving and investing for retirement through 401(k) plans. The information contained in this booklet answers some common questions about the fees and expenses that may be paid by your 401(k) plan. It highlights the most common fees and can help you make informed investment decisions. 

This site was developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide information and resources to help you and your family plan for future long-term care (LTC) needs.
At least 70 percent of people over age 65 will require some long-term care services at some point in their lives.  And, contrary to what many people believe, Medicare and private health insurance programs do not pay for the majority of long-term care services that most people need - help with personal care such as dressing or using the bathroom independently.  Planning is essential for you to be able to get the care you might need.

This tool is designed to help explain what long-term care services are available, how much you can expect to pay for long-term care, and what financing options are available to support your long-term care costs.  The results of the Long-Term Care Planning tool are general in nature and not intended to replace comprehensive financial and other long-term personal planning.

If you are a Medicare beneficiary, you are eligible for Medicare prescription drug coverage, regardless of your income, health status, or current prescription expenses.  This website will help you learn more about the options available to you.

Medicare is the nation's largest health insurance program, covering nearly 40 million Americans. The Medicare program is for people age 65 or older, some disabled people under age 65, and people of all ages with end-stage renal disease (permanent kidney failure treated with dialysis or a transplant).
This online tool is designed to help individuals determine whether or not they are eligible for Medicare, and to provide information about enrollment.  If you are not a U.S. citizen or a lawfully admitted alien who has lived in the U.S. continuously for a five-year period, please contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 for your Medicare enrollment and eligibility instead of using this tool.

The Medicare Program is the nation's largest health insurance program, covering nearly 40 million Americans that are age 65 or older, disabled, and/or experiencing end-stage renal disease.  This site provides an overview of the plans available through Medicare.

Tips and strategies for handling your finances at different stages of life.

Getting in shape financially is vital to a person’s overall well-being. For senior citizens, people with disabilities and others who receive federal benefits including Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) by check, switching to electronic payments is a simple, but important step toward improving their financial fitness. One of the options for electronic payments that Treasury suggests as an easier alternative to checks is Direct Express® Debit MasterCard® card.  This Treasury-recommended prepaid debit card provides a safe, user-friendly alternative for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income recipients.

Women face many challenges in saving for retirement. This brochure highlights some of those issues and provides tips to get started.  Also available in Spanish.

If you are saving for retirement at work, this publication will help you understand your plan and the federal law that governs your plan.  It explains what information you should review periodically and where to go for help with questions.
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As the sponsor of a retirement plan, you are helping your employees achieve a secure financial future. Federal law requires that those responsible for managing retirement plans carry out their responsibilities prudently and ensure that the services provided to their plans are necessary and that the cost is reasonable.  This booklet will help you better understand and evaluate your plan’s fees and expenses.

Retirement is expensive.  Take charge of your financial future and start preparing now.  This brochure outlines ten steps to help you start saving for retirement.
For Spanish article click here.

Starting a job, marriage, divorce, retirement, death - major life events affect your retirement. Learn more about how major life events may influence retirement planning.

Information on Social Security retirement benefits: discussion of credits needed for benefit eligibility, benefit calculators for estimating benefit levels, questions to ask before applying for benefits, and a guide on how to apply for benefits.

Social Security Administration

Definition of the Social Security Statement -- a concise, easy-to-read personal record of the earnings on which you have paid Social Security taxes and a summary of the estimated benefits you and your family might receive. Plus a sample Statement, information on how to request a Statement, and answers to frequently asked questions about the Statement.

Social Security Administration

The Retirement Estimator produces estimates of Social Security retirement benefits based on your Social Security earnings record. These estimates are provided for three different ages -- early retirement age, full retirement age, and age 70.