Your Social Security Statement is an important document that can help you plan for your retirement. Whether you're a young worker just starting a career or a seasoned employee ready to retire, the Statement is designed to help you.

The Social Security Statement includes a message from the Commissioner and a record of your earnings each year. It provides you with retirement benefit estimates using different retirement scenarios. The Statement also provides estimates of disability and survivors benefits for you and your family in the event that you become disabled or die.

If you're like most workers who pay Social Security taxes, you automatically receive a Statement in the mail each year, about three months before your birthday. But there are situations in which a person may not be receiving a Statement each year.

For example, if you work each year, but your earned income is low enough that you do not need to file a tax return, you won't receive an automatic Social Security Statement. Also, if you are younger than 25 years old, or if you are already receiving benefits, you won't receive an automatic Statement each year.

However, if you need a Statement, you can request one. Just go to www.socialsecurity.gov/mystatement. There, you can learn more about the Social Security Statement, and request to have one mailed to you. Keep in mind that if you're already receiving benefits, your Statement will continue to show your updated earnings each year you work, but will not provide an estimate of future benefits.

Here's what you'll need to make your request:

• Your name as shown on your Social Security card;
• Your Social Security number;
• Your date of birth;
• Your place of birth; and
• Your mother's maiden name.

The online request also is handy for people who do receive their automatic Statement each year, but can't find their most recent one and have some financial planning to do. You can request to have one mailed to you at any time.

Keep in mind, however, that if you request to have one sent to you even though you already receive one automatically each year, the next scheduled automatic Statement will be canceled. You'd then receive your next automatic Statement in the following year.

For more information, read the Social Security Statement page at www.socialsecurity.gov/mystatement.

For general information about Social Security, visit www.socialsecurity.gov or call us at 1.800.772.1213 (TTY 1.800.325.0778).

Ginny Jordan is a Public Affairs Specialist for the Social Security Administration. Her weekly column on all things Social Security appears in the Sunday Edition of the Sun-Sentinel.

Ginny has agreed to let us reprint her articles here for your convenience.

Thank you Ginny!