Summertime is known for its popcorn movies—blockbuster cinema full of explosions, action and larger—than life heroes. A couple hours in a darkened theater can have you at the edge of your seat and feeling like a kid again.

Now, take a closer look at some of the movie heroes flashing across the silver screen this summer. Could it be that your hero's most challenging nemesis is deciding whether it's time to retire?

Take this summer's biggest action hero, Indiana Jones. Harrison Ford—still doing his own stunts—is 66 years old. Before he trots across the globe for another adventure, he may want to apply online for his retirement benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov.

Another box office champ returning this year is Batman. The Dark Knight first appeared in 1939—the same year as Superman—in Detective Comics. That makes both caped crusaders eligible for retirement benefits. Surely there must be computers in the Bat Cave and Fortress of Solitude with access to www.socialsecurity.gov to file online for their benefits.

Other heroes on the screen this summer include The Incredible Hulk and Iron Man. Both are products of the 1960s, like the actors who portray them. They'll have a while to wait. But it's never too early to start planning for retirement by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov/planners.

Even though the ladies from Sex and the City may not be ready to retire just yet, they should be planning ahead by going to Social Security's For Women page at www.socialsecurity.gov/women.

Of course, retirement isn't what it used to be. The average person preparing for retirement today isn't getting ready to sit on the porch and lounge away. They're ready for action.

These days, retirement is the opening of a new chapter—a sequel of sorts. So whether you're ready to complete that application for benefits or need to do some retirement planning, the place to go is not the silver screen, but the computer screen, at www.socialsecurity.gov.

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!