Social Security is a critical safety net for millions of Americans, providing financial support to retirees, people with disabilities, and surviving family members. While it's important to start thinking about your Social Security benefits as early as possible, you don't have to wait until you're ready to retire to start planning. Here are three online social security musts that you can take advantage of today:

Create a mySocialSecurity account.

A mySocialSecurity account is a personal online account that allows you to access your Social Security information and services anytime, anywhere. With a mySocialSecurity account, you can:

View your benefit and payment information

Check your earnings record

Get an estimate of your retirement, disability, and survivor benefits

Request a replacement Social Security card

Change your address or phone number

Creating a mySocialSecurity account is easy and secure. All you need is a valid email address and some basic personal information. You can create an account at www.ssa.gov/myaccount.

Use the Retirement Estimator.

The Retirement Estimator is an online tool that allows you to get an estimate of your future Social Security benefits based on your earnings history. This can be especially helpful if you're not sure how much you'll be able to receive when you retire.

To use the Retirement Estimator, you'll need to create a mySocialSecurity account (if you don't already have one) and provide some basic information, such as your date of birth and current salary. The tool will then give you an estimate of your benefits based on different retirement ages and earnings scenarios. You can use the Retirement Estimator to help you plan for your retirement and make informed decisions about when to start receiving benefits.

Apply for benefits online.

If you're ready to retire or start receiving disability or survivor benefits, you can apply for them online through your mySocialSecurity account. Applying online is convenient and usually faster than applying in person or by mail. Plus, you'll have the added security of knowing that your information is being transmitted securely.

To apply online, you'll need to have a mySocialSecurity account and provide some basic personal and financial information. You'll also need to have certain documents on hand, such as your birth certificate, proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status, and proof of your most recent work.

By taking advantage of these three online social security musts, you can access important information, plan for your retirement, and apply for benefits all from the comfort of your own home. So don't wait – create a mySocialSecurity account today and start exploring all the benefits it has to offer.