Have You Really Read Your Social Security Statement?

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I just recieved mine in the mail today, and really have not paid attention to them in the past , but now that I'm older it is really important that I do. According to my new statement if I'm able to do so, I will have to work until I'm 70 years old, and still being an average person will not make enough to live on. It also seems everything is based on a point system. There are also differnt payment amounts for retireing at certain ages. If you retire at 62 you will get the least amount of money. If you work till full retirement (66 and 10 months) your payment would be a couple of hundred bucks more. If you work until you are 70 years old it will almost be $200 give or take a few dollars depending on how much you make. I am guessing according to my statement. They have different amounts for every situation. To quilify for benefits you earn "credits" through your work- up to four per year. This year for example, you can earn one credit for each $1,050 of self-employment income. When you've earned your four credits for the year. Most people need 40 credits, earned over their working lifetime, to recieve benefits. For disability and survivors benefits, young people need fewer credits to be eligible. Also if you are a survivor of a family member who has passed on you can collect some benefits. For instance I'm widowed so when I'm 60 years old I can collect benefits form my late husbands Social Security benefits,50 If I'm disabled. There are so many other guidelines that need ato be addresed in this issue of Social security. Also about Social Security's future... In 2017 they will begin paying more in benefits than they collect in taxes. without changes, by 2041 the Social Security Trust Fund will be Exhausted and there will be enough money to pay only about 75 cents for each dollar of scheduled bendfits. I for one am very concerned about all that I read in my statement, and there is more that I have not even mentioned here. If you would like to know more about Social Security Benefits you can visit www.socialsecurity.gov You can also read the publication, and use the Social Security Benefit Calculators to calculate future benefits or use the easy online forms to apply for benefits. I know I will be visiting the site to read more about benefits that I can recieve. I see now I will really have to plan ahead. Has anyone else thought about their golden years and what they will do finacially to survive?