YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY

Social Security is a vital program that touches the lives of almost everyone in the country.

Mr. Brown is District Manager of the Social Security Administration's Downtown New York Office.

Test your knowledge by answering the following questions. Check your accuracy by visiting our Web site using the links provided.

1. If you are an average wage earner, how much of your pre-retirement earnings will Social Security replace?
www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10035.html
a. About 20 percent
b. About 40 percent
c. About 70 percent

2. In 1940, a 65-year-old male could expect to live another 12 years, but today it is:
www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/background.htm
a. 10 years
b. 12 years
c. 16 years
d. 25 years

3. How many years of earnings will your basic Social Security retirement benefit be based on?
www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/COLA/Benefits.html
a. Your last 10 years of earnings
b. Your highest 3 years of earnings
c. Your highest 35 years of earnings

4. How much is the average Social Security benefit?
www.socialsecurity.gov/pressoffice/factsheets/colafacts2008.htm
a. About $507
b. About $1079
c. About $1201
d. About $2024

5. If you don't retire at your full retirement age, will your eventual benefit be higher?
www.socialsecurity.gov/retire2/delayret.htm
a. Yes, your benefit will increase.
b. No, your benefit amount is final once you reach your full retirement age.

6. How many baby boomers are expected to reach retirement age over the next 20 years?
www.socialsecurity.gov/pressoffice/pr/babyboomerfiles-pr.htm
a. About 20 million
b. About 50 million
c. About 80 million

How did you do? Check below. But remember this: you don't have to answer all the questions right to be a winner. Just go to www.socialsecurity.gov, where the prize is an informative and easy-to-use Web site.

KEY: 1.B; 2.C; 3.C; 4.B; 5.A; 6.C.