This document provides information about Social Security benefits for retirement planning. It explains that Social Security is a federal program that provides benefits to retired and disabled people. Eligibility is based on earning credits through payroll taxes. The amount received depends on credits earned and the age benefits are taken. Though intended to supplement retirement, Social Security may only cover 40% of pre-retirement needs for many. The program faces strains as people live longer and more receive benefits. Planning contributions to retirement accounts can help offset reliance on Social Security.

1. Nationwide® Retirement Plans Participant Education
Learning about
Social Security

2. The basics. The strains. Planning.
1

3. It’s important to understand the funding that’s available to
you at retirement. Most Americans are eligible for Social
Security, so we’ll help educate you on how it works.
Use this brochure to learn about Social Security and how
to calculate your benefits at retirement. Then, you can
realistically assess how your retirement plan account fits
into your overall needs.
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4. 3
The basics of Social Security
What is it? Who is eligible? What are the benefit payments based on?
A federal institution that:
• Provides benefits
to retired people
and qualified
disabled people1
• Has existed for more
than 77 years
• Providers for more than
161 million workers2
Most Americans are
eligible by making
payments through
their paycheck. Paying
into the system is part
of the Federal Insurance
Contribution Act (FICA).3
What you get depends on:
• “Credits” earned during the year
• The age you choose to receive benefits4
• Contributions made based on your
Social Security number
Once you understand some of the more basic elements of Social Security, like what these benefits are, who
is eligible and who isn’t, you can understand how the benefits work for your overall plan.

5. 4
Earning and receiving Social Security
What are credits? How are credits earned? When can benefits be received?
Credits are:
• Building blocks
used to determine
benefit amount4
• A minimum must be
earned to be eligible
for benefits4
• Accumulation occurs
throughout your
career even with
gaps in your history4
One credit is earned
for every $1,160 earned
in taxable wages. A
maximum of four credits
can be earned during a
calendar year. The income
equivalent to earn a credit
is adjusted yearly.4
You decide on:
• Full retirement age — age you
can receive full benefits and
varies based on age1
• Early retirement age — begins
at age 62 and results in
reduced benefit1
• Deferred retirement — any age
after full retirement; the longer the
deferment the more the payment1
You should understand that the benefits you receive are determined by how much you’ve contributed to the
system and at what age you started contributing. These amounts are tracked by your Social Security number.
Age to receive full Social Security benefits
Year of birth Full retirement age
1943 - 1954 66
1955 66 & 2 months
1956 66 & 4 months
1957 66 & 6 months
1958 66 & 8 months
1959 6 & 10 months
1960 & later 67

6. 5
The strains on Social Security
Limited amounts People are living longer More people are receiving benefits
People need 70% of
their current salary
to live in retirement.
Social Security accounts
for only 40%.5
The rule of 63/36:
• For a couple both aged
54, there is a 63% chance
one member will live to
90 and a 36% change one
will live to be 95.
• Life expectancy
projections are
getting longer
From 1965 to 2011:
• The U.S. population has increased
by 60%6
• The number of recipients of Social
Security has increased by 533%6
Projection between 2011 and 2030:
• People eligible for benefits will
increase by 65%6
• People paying into Social
Security will increase by 15%6
While Social Security is a benefit most of us will receive in retirement, there are strains on the system that you
should be aware of.
Year cohort
turned 65
Percentage of population
surviving from age 65
Average remaining life
expectancy for those
surviving to age 65
Female Male Female Male
1940 53.9 60.6 12.7 14.7
1950 56.2 65.5 13.1 16.2
1960 60.1 71.3 13.2 17.4
1970 63.7 76.9 13.8 18.6
1980 67.8 80.9 14.6 19.1
1990 72.3 83.6 15.3 19.6

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8. 7
Your overall retirement strategy
Social Security was never meant to fully support individuals in retirement. But, there are resources to help you plan
for retirement and supplement your Social Security.
Estimating your benefits Your retirement plan account
On Your Side
Interactive Retirement PlannerSM
Create a “My Social Security
Account” online at www.
socialsecurity.gov to view what
you’ve paid into the system and
what your estimated benefits
will be at retirement.
Consider increasing contributions
to your retirement plan account
to maximize the power of tax-
compounding and rely less on
Social Security.
This resource at nationwide.com helps
you find your retirement gap, set a plan
for retirement and track your progress.
Consider other
sources of
income such
as your
401(k) plan
or IRA
The sooner you
begin saving,
the more you’ll
have at retirement

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Estimating your benefits On Your Side Interactive
Retirement PlannerSM

10. 9

11. 10
To learn more about Social Security and how your retirement
plan fits into your overall strategy, call us or log on today.
1-800-772-2182
nationwide.com/myretirement

12. 1
Retirement Benefits, Social Security Administration (April 2013).
2
Social Security Administration Basic Facts, Social Security Administration (February 2013).
3
Internal Revenue Code, 26 USC Chapter 21, Federal Insurance Contribution Act.
4
How You Earn Credit, Social Security Administration (January 2013).
5
Social Security Planner: Learn About Social Security Programs, Social Security Administration (April 2013).
6
Covered Workers and Beneficiaries, United States Social Security Administration, Of the Chief Actuary (April, 2012).
For more information about the available underlying investment options, including all charges and expenses, please
consult a fund prospectus by calling 1-800-626-3112 or visiting nationwide.com. Fund prospectuses and additional
information relating to your retirement plan can be obtained by contacting your Retirement Plan Representative.
Before investing, carefully consider the fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. The fund
prospectus contains this and other important information. Read the prospectus carefully before investing.
The Nationwide Group Retirement Series includes unregistered group fixed and variable annuities and trust
programs. The unregistered group fixed and variable annuities are issued by Nationwide Life Insurance Company.
Trust programs and trust services are offered by Nationwide Trust Company, FSB, a division of Nationwide Bank.
Nationwide Investment Services Corporation, member FINRA. In MI only: Nationwide Investment Svcs. Corporation.
Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and Affiliated Companies, Home Office: Columbus, OH 43215-2220.
Nationwide, Nationwide Financial, the Nationwide framemark and On Your Side Interactive Retirement Planner
are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.
© 2013 Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. All rights reserved.
PNM-2653AO (12/13)
For Participant Use Only
To learn more about Social Security
and how your retirement plan fits
into your overall strategy, call us
or log on today.
1-800-772-2182
nationwide.com/myretirement