Signed up for Social Security

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by fintstone

Every time I decide not to retire yet, I read a thread on here where people retired much younger than me...and are glad they did. It really leaves me undecided..as it would be awfully hard to go back later and find as good a gig (due to age discrimination and losing your network). Anyone regret not working longer or regret not taking their SS earlier/later?

Retire fint. If you have hobbies or interests you enjoy, you’ll be surprised how full your life can be. I’m as busy as I’ve ever been, but enjoying it a lot more. Retirement is the best job ever!

[Crowbob]

Originally Posted by CurtEgerer

Yup. And most people never catch up since the average life expectancy for men in the US is only 78 years old. If you play the Las Vegas odds, you're leaving money on the table if you don't take it as early as possible.

This.

If you’ve ever smoked, have a family history of Disease X, don’t run 5 miles a day, eat something other than bushes and sticks, and don’t have a dog, 78 is an excellent run.

Also, if you’re not married the checks stop when you croak and you can’t leave it to anybody.

[Seahawk]

There is sooo much info available on this...

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=when+to+take+ssn&t=ffsb&atb=v72-6__&ia=web

I'm in the prime of my civilian earning potential...odd, that, but I am. Taking SS before full retirement is, since I will make much more than they allow me to before deducting and penalizing me before FRA, a poor choice.

I have never accounted for SS as a part of my retirement portfolio...if SS benefits exist i four years, I win.

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by Crowbob

Did your advisor explain why you should wait?

Really based on me telling him I want to start drawing between 62 and 65 . I think my full draw is at 66.6 . But I also want to enjoy it as long as possible .

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

Retire fint. If you have hobbies or interests you enjoy, you’ll be surprised how full your life can be. I’m as busy as I’ve ever been, but enjoying it a lot more. Retirement is the best job ever!

^^^^ Doesn't pay worth a $chit....and I don't care ....priorities.

I jumped off the proverbial cliff back in the darkest dqze of late '08 ...can't fly....but having a blast "winging it"...no regrets .

Busier than Kach...evidently

[wdfifteen]

This is a pretty cool life expectancy calculator.
Looks like I'll be here annoying you all until I'm 89!

https://www.blueprintincome.com/tools/life-expectancy-calculator-how-long-will-i-live/

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

This is a pretty cool life expectancy calculator.
Looks like I'll be here annoying you all until I'm 89!

https://www.blueprintincome.com/tools/life-expectancy-calculator-how-long-will-i-live/

LOL it says I have 15 years left which is gravy, I remember when a doctor said I'd be in dirt by now.

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

This is a pretty cool life expectancy calculator.
Looks like I'll be here annoying you all until I'm 89!

https://www.blueprintincome.com/tools/life-expectancy-calculator-how-long-will-i-live/

It said I am expected to make it to 88 with a 75 percent chance to make 80 . I guess I will have to stretch my retirement to 20 - 28 years. Sounds good to me now get off my lawn !!!

[Baz]

Originally Posted by dmcummins

I’ll be turning 62 in May, so I went ahead and signed up to start taking SS then. I retired at 50, but now I’m really feeling old.

I’ve read all the advice about when to take it, but unless you know when you are going to die and what return you get on your investments, it seems like a crap shoot.

I don’t need the money to live, so I figure id rather have it now. And longevity doesn’t really run in my family.

FYI: Here's a 9 page thread I started last year that has a ton of info:

When to start drawing Social Security


Indeed everyone's situation is different so this is not a one size fits all deal.

All I can say is I'm very happy with my decision to start drawing last year at 64 - 2 years before full benefit.

The other piece of advice to always keep in mind is while MONEY is an important component to achieve happiness - you only have so much TIME left in your life. And the older one gets - the more TIME becomes the largest consideration of how to navigate through one's golden years.

Enjoy - you've earned this!

[dmcummins]

I checked online and I have been approved. First check will be deposited July 24.

It took less than 5 minutes online to file, easy peasy.

I never really planned on SS so this is just bonus money. My wife has a pension so because of WEP she doesn’t qualify for much, so there was no big gain for her by waiting.

[ckelly78z]

With my health issues, I will be doing well to hit 80 years old (married for 57 years at that point), I plan on taking SS early at 62 while I am still able to enjoy traveling, and being active on the farm. At 62, I will have a 28 year pension, and a decently sized 401K that should get us through.

My wife will probably live into her 90s, and live a simple life gardening, and taking care of her animals. She just got a 66% raise last year, so we will start investing much of that. We have no debt, and have lived on our 10 acre farm for 25 years now, and expecting another 25 years. I haven't really figured out when she should take SS, I will probably have to consult a FP.