A big assumption in your retirement plan is the amount that you will receive in social security benefits.

Create your SSA.gov Account

Go to ssa.gov, log in, and you can view an estimate of your benefits. Do this even if you are nowhere near retirement because it is very important that you claim ownership of this profile. If you don't, then someone who has gained access to your personal information can do this instead and they may be able to file for retirement or disability benefits based on your earnings history.

Log in Annually to SSA.gov

Once you do have an account, you want to log in at least annually just to make sure that your earnings are being recorded properly. You can then also use an estimator to show you how much you will receive for retirement benefits at different ages. You can pass that along to your financial planner so they can go ahead and build your financial plan.

Social Security Spousal Benefit

If you are married, you will be able to receive the greater of your benefit or 50% of your spouse's benefit at full retirement age. This is just a rule-of-thumb though. It is going to also depend on when you file for benefits and if you receive any other benefits that may offset social security.

Social Security for Divorced Couples

If you are divorced, if you were married for at least 10 years and you have not remarried, you may be able to get an estimate for benefits based on your ex-spouse's record. If you do end up doing this, you are not going to lower their benefit. You are not going to lower their new spouse's benefit, if they have remarried. They are not even going to be notified that you are requesting an estimate. So really there is no downside to do this other than just getting all the information you need to go ahead and plan your retirement. You will probably have to go to a social security office for this estimate just to prove that you were married for 10 years. You will bring your marriage certificate and divorce decree and you need your ex-spouse's social security number. If you don't have that, you can have their birthdate, their place of birth, and their parent's names.

It is fairly common that people lock themselves out of the SSA.gov website.

Go ahead and make an appointment at your local social security office to get it straightened out because it is important that you claim that profile and protect this asset.