Anonymous wrote:If DH dies before me, because our SS checks will be about the same, I won't collect any of his, and vice versa. So we decided we should both collect starting at 62 as long as possible. I think the decision is different if your spouse is counting on the higher survivor benefit.

I am sorry but can you explain your logic behind that? I am not understanding how your situation is driving your decision.

If DH dies before me, because our SS checks will be about the same, I won't collect any of his, and vice versa. So we decided we should both collect starting at 62 as long as possible. I think the decision is different if your spouse is counting on the higher survivor benefit.

Anonymous wrote:Now with the passage of BBB does it make sense to start social security at 62? Not there yet but maybe better to get a few years of something if it’s going to go bankrupt sooner now.

The bill Biden signed at the end shortened the runway by six months.

If I were 62 today, yeah, I’d start to get as many years in before 2033 and a possible reduction or means testing

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:i plan to take at 62 (no longevity gene on my side) and spouse will start at 70 (in-laws are almost 100 and still kicking

What probably matters more is whose benefit would be higher not who is expected to live longer.

We are about the same

Pp

I turn 62 in February and plan to start taking it then. I was 100% SAHM for 8 years and have worked very part time for over 15 years so I'm not getting the maximum. We don't need the money - I have a sizable IRA from my TSP and I'm going to start collecting my fed pension from my 15 years of fed govt. DH also has a sizable 401K/IRA and we have $2M in the market. I see SS as "fun money" that we can use for travel or cosmetic renovations around the home.

Anonymous wrote:i plan to take at 62 (no longevity gene on my side) and spouse will start at 70 (in-laws are almost 100 and still kicking

What probably matters more is whose benefit would be higher not who is expected to live longer.

Anonymous wrote:I took it early despite not needing it. It all comes out in the wash. If you don’t need it, take it and invest it. You’ll end up with the same amount either way.

This may or may not be true, depending on how long you live and how the market does.

I just started at 65. Had hoped to wait till 67, but job loss, SS dysfunction and looming shortfall convinced me to start now, although it’s a lower monthly amount.

OP here. Thank you all. Not a crazy idea then!

I took it early despite not needing it. It all comes out in the wash. If you don’t need it, take it and invest it. You’ll end up with the same amount either way.

I did. DH waited till 66. We figure get it while they got it and invested it.
I have been collecting almost 13 years.

i plan to take at 62 (no longevity gene on my side) and spouse will start at 70 (in-laws are almost 100 and still kicking

You can run different scenarios at

https://opensocialsecurity.com/

including ones where you assume SS will be cut.

I'd be taking it now at 47 if I could so the money in the market can grow. I don't have any accounts with RMD.

Now with the passage of BBB does it make sense to start social security at 62? Not there yet but maybe better to get a few years of something if it’s going to go bankrupt sooner now.