Q: Even though I’m not on Social Security, I’ve been reading your column for years. A while back, I clipped out a column you wrote explaining how benefits are figured. And now that I’m getting ready to file for benefits, I can’t find that column. Can you please reprint it? And I also have a question. I do recall that you said a benefit is based on your highest 35 years of earnings. But I saw something on the Social Security Administration website that said it’s a 40-year base. Have the rules changed?
A: I checked my past columns, and it’s been about a year since I explained how Social Security retirement benefits are figured. So, I guess it’s about time I do it again. And I'll also explain why I’m right when I say it’s a 35-year base of earnings, and how the SSA website also is right when they say a 40-year base!
