Hi all,
I'm 63 1/2 and currently working overseas and not contributing to Social Security, and will most likely be overseas for a long time. I like to do things right and conservative with my money and actions. However, for me to retire at 64, I'd like to supplement my pension with Social Security. The vast majority of opinions here and elsewhere say hold off until full retirement, and I probably could.
Nevertheless, here are the facts. I've contributed a lot less to Social Security over the years than most. If I received my social security at the age of 64 in 2011, I'd get $616/month. If I waited until my 66th birthday, I'd get $711/month. Is it worth waiting? I can understand if you are getting $1000+/month waiting, but to wait for two more years for an increase in a bit more than 1200 per year increase in my opinion does not seem worth it.
Concerning my finances, I have a retirement income of about $2,700/month, but that is the interest on 80% of my investments with TIAA-CREF. I'm keeping the principal intact. It's enough to live on, but the Social Security would help.
I'd be particularly interested in those of you that are advocates of waiting until full retirement age. As mentioned, I like to do things right, and getting Social security before 66 actually does not seem reckless. Moreover, that extra income allows me a bit more freedom that I did not have before and makes up for the loss in the US dollar that I'm feeling being overseas. The important thing is I am qualified for Medicare.
What do you think? Thank you very much.
Rob
I'm 63 1/2 and currently working overseas and not contributing to Social Security, and will most likely be overseas for a long time. I like to do things right and conservative with my money and actions. However, for me to retire at 64, I'd like to supplement my pension with Social Security. The vast majority of opinions here and elsewhere say hold off until full retirement, and I probably could.
Nevertheless, here are the facts. I've contributed a lot less to Social Security over the years than most. If I received my social security at the age of 64 in 2011, I'd get $616/month. If I waited until my 66th birthday, I'd get $711/month. Is it worth waiting? I can understand if you are getting $1000+/month waiting, but to wait for two more years for an increase in a bit more than 1200 per year increase in my opinion does not seem worth it.
Concerning my finances, I have a retirement income of about $2,700/month, but that is the interest on 80% of my investments with TIAA-CREF. I'm keeping the principal intact. It's enough to live on, but the Social Security would help.
I'd be particularly interested in those of you that are advocates of waiting until full retirement age. As mentioned, I like to do things right, and getting Social security before 66 actually does not seem reckless. Moreover, that extra income allows me a bit more freedom that I did not have before and makes up for the loss in the US dollar that I'm feeling being overseas. The important thing is I am qualified for Medicare.
What do you think? Thank you very much.
Rob