If you plan to start drawing your PBGC benefit within the next four months, you must ask for an estimate of your benefit amount before you apply for your pension. To calculate your estimate, we'll need to know:
- Your Social Security number,
- Your pension plan's name and case number (found in the upper left of the letters we've sent you),
- The date you plan to start drawing your benefit,
- Information about your spouse, if you are married, and
- Information about any other person who will be getting part of your pension benefit.
Through MyPBA
Use MyPBA, our secure online service, to ask us to send you a benefit estimate. If you've never used MyPBA, it's easy to get started.
By Phone
You can also call us at 1-800-400-7242. TTY/ASCII users may call 711. To request an estimate over the phone, you'll need to have handy your Social Security number, pension plan name, and case number.
- You should get your pension benefit estimate 15 to 45 days from the date of your request. If it takes longer than 45 days, we will contact you.
- Your pension benefit estimate will tell you the amount you can expect on the date you want your benefits to start.
- You will start to receive payments about three months after you contact PBGC about your pension benefits. For example, if you contact us during January, the soonest your benefit can start is April 1.
- We also will tell you how much you would receive under each annuity option (form of benefit) available to you. You can find out about the annuity forms available to you at Your PBGC Benefit Options: Questions and Answers for Participants.
