The Social Security Benefit Estimate Program
                          for Personal Computers 


Description of program

The Office of the Actuary, Social Security Administration, produces a Social
Security benefit estimate computer program.  The interactive program works
on IBM PC's and compatibles.  It produces the Social Security "primary
insurance amount" (PIA) for an old-age, survivor, or disability benefit, given
the characteristics of a particular worker (such as birth date, past earnings,
and type of benefit).  It also produces the "maximum family benefit", the
actuarial reduction or increment factor (for early or delayed retirement), and
the monthly benefit amount (MBA).

The benefit can be computed for either a new entitlement or a
recomputation after initial entitlement.  Summary results are presented on the
screen; there is an option to print out details of the computations.

The program can produce a PIA for any historical case from the first
Social Security benefit paid (1940).  It can also produce a projected PIA,
based on standard or user-specified assumptions, through 2065.  The 1994.1
update takes all amendments to the law, and automatic adjustments, through
1993 into account.

The program can also produce the figures shown in Social Security's
Personal Earnings and Benefit Estimate Statement (PEBES).  PEBES provides
estimates for early, normal, and delayed retirement, survivors, and disability
benefits. Note, however, that some of the data required by the program, such
as past earnings, can only be obtained by first requesting an official PEBES.

Although we have tried to be as accurate as possible, this is not the
same program as is used for official Social Security calculations and it may
produce results that differ from an official calculation.  In particular, we
have made approximations for pre-1965 benefits and for the frozen minimum PIA,
and we do not yet take account of closed periods of disability, disability
non-exclusion calculations, or disability guarantee PIAs.  Based on experience
to date, this program matches the official calculations very well, with most
differences due to late posting of earnings to the earnings record, or
different assumptions for projected benefits.

Ordering the program

Distribution of this program is handled by the National Technical Information
Service (NTIS).  To order the disk and the user's guide, you can call NTIS at
(703) 487-4650, or you can mail your request to:

     National Technical Information Service
     5285 Port Royal Road
     Springfield, VA  22161
     Attn: Sales

To order the 1994.1 version of the program and accompanying user's guide,
specify product number PB94-500725 for a high-density 5 1/4 inch disk, or
product number PB94-500733 for a high-density 3 1/2 inch disk.  NTIS charges
$55 for the disk, plus a handling fee (currently $3), to cover their costs.
You can order one disk and make as many copies as you want.  You may pay by
check or charge (VISA, MasterCard, or American Express).

Once you have purchased the disk, you will be placed on the NTIS mailing list
and will receive a notice of any update of the disk.  You will also receive an
annual notice (around November) containing the various amounts necessary to
update your program for the coming year.

Obtaining the program electronically

The program can be obtained via anonymous ftp from ftp.ssa.gov, in the
pub/oact directory.  Three files are available:

readme.pia:  this file.

anypia.zip:  the program, user's guide, data, and source code in zipped
format.  To unzip, issue the following command:
     pkunzip anypia.zip

anypia.tar.Z:  the program, user's guide, data, and source code in tarred and
compressed format.  To uncompress and untar, issue the following commands:
     uncompress anypia.tar.Z  (this produces the file anypia.tar)
     tar xvf anypia.tar  (this produces the original files)


          Office of the Actuary
          Social Security Administration
          July 6, 1994