Effective Dates: 04/10/2012 - Present Previous | Next

TN 28 (08-99)

RS 00605.800 PIAs for Benefit Estimates - the Personalized Earnings and Benefit Estimate Statement (PEBES)

A. Introduction

Social Security provides estimates of future benefits to anyone who is not yet entitled to benefits.

B. Description of PEBES

Requesters complete a Form SSA-7004 (Request for Earnings and Benefit Estimate Statement) and receive a PEBES (Form SSA-7005). These are referred to as ORPEBES. SSA also provides PEBES automatically to many NHs. These are referred to as SIPEBES. NHs can also request PEBES Online Request (PBRQ). All PEBES include:

  • •

    a summary total of earnings for 1937 through 1950;

  • •

    a yearly earnings breakdown for 1951 to date;

  • •

    the number of QCs needed for insured status;

  • •

    the number of QCs on the NH's record; and

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    various benefit estimates computed at current dollar values.

C. Policy - Estimates

1. Retirement

Three retirement estimates are provided:

  • •

    Benefit for early retirement which includes projected earnings up to the retirement age. This benefit is computed based on the later of age 62, the requested retirement age or the current age.

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    Benefit at full retirement age which includes projected earnings up to the full retirement age.

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    Benefit at age 70 which includes projected earnings up to age 70 and delayed retirement credits.

2. Disability

Disability estimates are provided for the worker and family using the date the request is received by the system for processing as the assumed disability onset.

3. Survivors

Survivor estimates are provided for one survivor, for a widow(er) and child and for an aged widow(er). The date the request is received by the system for processing is used as the assumed date of death.

D. Policy - Earnings

1. Earnings Used

The following earnings are used:

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    All earnings on the record 1937 to date,

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    Lag earnings furnished by the requester (subject to the maximum),

  • •

    Future earnings furnished by the requester (subject to the current maximum), and

  • •

    Any applicable and creditable railroad earnings (if the NH has less than 120 service months).

2. Bend points, Indexing Year and Wage Growth

An estimate for a person who is age 62 or older is calculated using the actual indexing year and bend points and any applicable COLAs.

An estimate for a person who is under age 62 is calculated using the current indexing year and the current bend points.

Prior to 9/1993 retirement estimates were increased by a percentage equal to the number of years from the current year until the individual's age 62 attainment year. This was called the wage growth percentage. All estimates issued in 9/1993 or later are based on current dollar values.

NOTE: All estimates not in $5 increments are rounded to the lower $5.

E. References

More detailed information about the PEBES process can be found in POMS subchapters RM 01301.001 ff. and RM 01305.001 ff.

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0300605800
RS 00605.800 - PIAs for Benefit Estimates - the Personalized Earnings and Benefit Estimate Statement (PEBES) - 04/10/2012
Batch run: 02/21/2013
Rev:04/10/2012