This week's column concerns important information on eligibility and entitlement factors for Social Security retirement benefits. To be eligible for SSA retirement benefits, an individual must meet certain eligibility requirements, including providing proof of his or her age. Also, a person must have worked 10 years (40 work credits) under a job(s) covered by Social Security and must file an application for retirement benefits.

The amount of your benefit is based on your date of birth, the type of benefits that you are applying for, and, most importantly, your earnings.

Your benefit amount is based on your earnings averaged over most of your working career. Higher lifetime earnings result in higher benefits. If you have some years of no earnings or low earnings, your benefit amount may be lower than if you had worked steadily. This is different from many private pension plans, which usually are based on a relatively small number of years of earnings.

SSA determines the number of years of earnings to use as a base. For everyone who was born after 1928 and retiring in 1991 or later, that number is the 35 highest years for retirement benefits.

SSA then applies a formula to these earnings and arrives at your basic benefit or "primary insurance amount." This is the amount you would receive at your full-retirement age.

Your benefit amount is also affected by your age at the time you start receiving benefits. If you start your benefits at age 62 (which is the

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earliest possible retirement age), they will be lower than if you waited until a later age.

To help you plan for your retirement, Social Security sends nonbeneficiaries a Social Security statement approximately three months before their birthday. The statement provides estimates of Social Security retirement, disability and survivors benefits you and your family could be eligible to receive now and in the future. Or visit www.socialsecurity.gov/estimat or for an online retirement estimate.

For further information, check www.socialsecurity.gov.

Reaching age 65 or full retirement age in 2008? - If you will turn 65 or reach full retirement age in 2008 and have not filed a Social Security or Medicare application, we can provide you with information that will be helpful in determining when to file an application. Mail us the following information:

- Your name.
- Social Security number.
- Estimated 2007 earnings.
- Estimated 2008 earnings.
- Complete mailing address.
- Telephone number (both home and work).
-Date of birth.
- If you plan to retire in 2008, month in which you would.
- Spouse's Social Security number.
- Spouse's date of birth.
- If spouse is deceased, give date of death.

Send it to: Your Social Security, Social Security Administration, 3885 Main St., 3rd Floor, Bridgeport CT 06606. Attn: A. Renzoni.

Anthony Renzoni is district manager of the Bridgeport office of the Social Security Administration. His column appears every Monday.