Q: I hope you can help me understand my situation a little bit better. I’ve paid into Social Security for more than 35 years. I retired at 55 and don't intend to go back to work. My full retirement age is 67. I don’t need to start Social Security until 67 or later.

I want to be able to provide as much retirement income for my wife, who is six years younger than me, after I pass.

Is there any way to determine what my Social Security check will be when I turn 67? I've looked at my annual Social Security statement, but it appears that my benefit is based on continuing to work until retirement age.