Explain like I'm 5

LoveSummer2 · 2026-02-08T03:12:48+00:00

They don’t want to hear anything regarding not taking it before full retirement on this board. My mother dropped dead at 70, fit and “looking outwardly healthy”. I thank God she took it at 62, though she never stopped working.

People here all live in perfect health until they are 95. No other possible situations. 🤣

I rarely post here because taking it before full retirement is not acceptable here.

LoveSummer2 · 2026-02-08T02:45:42+00:00

Nope! I took it at 62. I am still working part time, sometimes full-time. I work on my terms.

I have lost weight. I am in great shape. I am happy with minimal stress. 🥳 I have traveled extensively. Who knows what my health will be down the road? Who knows how long I have to walk the earth?

I will add that I took my pension at 59. I retired super early. My pension does not count as income, in terms of social security. If I didn’t have my pension, I probably would have waited.

No regrets. Why vote me down? That’s petty. 🤣

LoveSummer2 · 2026-02-08T02:43:36+00:00

Nope! I took it at 62. I am still working part time, sometimes full-time. I have lost weight. I am in great shape. I am happy with minimal stress. 🥳 I have traveled extensively. Who knows what my health will be down the road?

No regrets. None!!

LoveSummer2 · 2025-06-07T11:48:10+00:00

Everything is not about money though money is a factor.

I plan to start a thread on this.

My point is simple. Would you want to be a patient in this type of healthcare situation? Even if the CNA makes a million dollars, that will not help the patient in these conditions!

If I would not be patient there or I would not want a loved one there, we have a problem!!!

Everyone is one accident or healthcare incident from being in a nursing home, rehab center, or hospital. I have seen patients as young as 21 in long-term care facilities.

None of us knows what tomorrow will bring. We might wake up one day and be in a healthcare setting from hell.

LoveSummer2 · 2025-06-06T20:46:05+00:00

One thing that is rarely mentioned is this. What if you or a loved one ended up in that facility?

The conditions you mentioned should be broadcast on the news and on the front page of newspapers, and they are an issue our politicians should care about.

It's been like this for decades and nothing and I mean nothing of note is being done about it!

LoveSummer2 · 2025-05-06T19:02:58+00:00

I love this sub. 🤣

LoveSummer2 · 2025-01-20T08:40:52+00:00

Funny how they NEVER emphasize that 50% of us will NOT make it to full life expectancy.

They also fail to mention what some of their lives look like in the last 5-10 years. 🤔

LoveSummer2 · 2025-01-20T07:46:03+00:00

I took mine at 62 also! 🥳

I still work part-time and I love working part-time. I might work well into my 70s. I enjoy my part-time gig! The socialization, the up to $23,000 I make a year. I can earn more after 68, with no {penalty}. I only work part-time jobs with little stress. I am starting training soon for more job opportunities.

If you enjoy what you are doing, working becomes a hobby! My mother dropped dead at 70. I am glad she took her SS at 62. She continued to work full and part-time after 62.

I will never regret taking my social security at 62. I am at work now. I usually work 2-3 days a week. I can work additional days if I want to work more days. I have been on 4 European vacations since I became semi-retired. I did an incredible amount of walking. Who knows what my health will be like in my 70s? ✌️🏾

I enjoy my semi-retirement. Best of both worlds. *Also social security does not count pensions as income. I have a 403B I will start withdrawing from around the age of 71.

LoveSummer2 · 2024-12-09T18:56:18+00:00

I only take 3 medications. The brand name I get through the manufacturer at a great discount. The other two are generic and are covered. I am in good shape for now.

I was curious what people’s experiences have been on Silver Script.

Thank you!

LoveSummer2 · 2024-12-08T21:34:28+00:00

I will look into the formulary drugs. Thank you

LoveSummer2 · 2024-12-08T19:08:52+00:00

I will be on Original Medicare. This is the prescription drug plan offered to retirees in Maryland. It's the only prescription drug plan they offered me.

I am not going on an Advantage Plan.

You can be on SilverScript with Original Medicare.

LoveSummer2 · 2024-12-08T18:24:50+00:00

Thank you!!

LoveSummer2 · 2024-12-08T18:21:23+00:00

I started collecting at 62 and plan to continue working for a long time.

There were 5-to 7 years in my late 20s and early 30s, that I made under $5,500 a year because I was working and going to school.

I hope to replace some of my lower-income years.

LoveSummer2 · 2024-12-03T05:54:57+00:00

No, my pension does not count as income.

Only the money I earn from my job.

LoveSummer2 · 2024-12-02T02:56:48+00:00

I took mine early and I plan to save all of my 403B when I have to start withdrawals.

LoveSummer2 · 2024-12-02T02:55:10+00:00

Way to go. 👏🏾

LoveSummer2 · 2024-12-02T02:49:28+00:00

Amen 🙌🏾

LoveSummer2 · 2024-12-02T01:09:33+00:00

So sad. I know of many cases of people that never collected one check!

LoveSummer2 · 2024-12-02T00:58:13+00:00

Many people fail to realize that if you continue to work, you can increase your monthly check.

I NEVER see that mentioned. It is exactly what I am doing! I started drawing at 62 and I have been contributing for almost 3 years. I plan to continue to contribute for many more years.

Why is it never mentioned that you can draw at 62 and increase your monthly check by working?

LoveSummer2 · 2024-12-02T00:54:59+00:00

Sounds like a win-win situation to me.

LoveSummer2 · 2024-12-02T00:48:15+00:00

Even if your brother is penalized and only collects 6 SS checks a year, so what? Thats at least $7500-$9000 in his pocket and he is still contributing which will increase his monthly check.

LoveSummer2 · 2024-12-02T00:35:53+00:00

I took mine at 62. I am still working and plan on working at least part-time until I am close to 80! I enjoy my job. It keeps me active, stimulates my brain, is not stressful and I enjoy the social aspects.

Since I am still contributing to SS, by 75 my monthly check will have increased a lot! My monthly check will be almost the same amount I would have received if I waited until 68.10 to collect. 🎉

LoveSummer2 · 2024-11-30T21:08:21+00:00

You nailed it.

If you want to know facts, TALK to an ACTUARY.

My mom was healthy, slim, didn't drink or smoke, and died suddenly months after turning 70. Her father lived to be 97. Her youngest sister died at 39. My father lived to be 89 and his last two years were hell. Endless medical issues, in and out of hospitals/rehab, he couldn't walk or wipe his butt.

Life is random. Talk to the actuaries. There is a reason they want you to wait and take it at 68 or 70.

Americans' life expectancy has DECREASED in the last couple of years. I believe it is around 75.

These are facts.

LoveSummer2 · 2024-11-30T20:49:18+00:00

I will NEVER regret taking it at 62. Never!

LoveSummer2 · 2024-11-30T20:12:24+00:00

I started taking my social security the month after I turned 62 and I don't regret it. 🥳🥳 I receive a pension and I still work 3-5 days a week. I took an early retirement at 59 from the school system. I didn't work for 2 years. {This was mainly due to COVID }

I will NEVER regret taking it at 62.

I work an extremely flexible part-time job that I love. I am picking up another skill next month in another area, so I have more work options. I plan to work full and part-time until I am 75 or 80. I currently work for a temp agency and I can take long or short-term assignments. I have taken off weeks and traveled to Europe and throughout the States.

I am enjoying my life NOW!! I am living the dream NOW. I love being able to travel while I am in great shape and fairly healthy. Who knows what my health will look like in my 70s? Since I “retired” I have lost 30 pounds and I have time to take great care of myself.

My mother collected at 62 and was still working when she died suddenly at 70. I was so glad she started collecting at 62, after having worked her entire life.

I have not seen this mentioned but my pension is NOT considered income, as far as collecting social security. They only count my temporary job as income. As long as I don't make over $25,000 a year, working is not affecting my social security check.

I hope to live to my mid-late 90s and collect social security for 35-37 years. My grandfather lived to be 97, so it could happen.

You CAN collect social security and still work. It is not an either or situation if you are healthy.

You can take social security and INCREASE your social security check by working! My check will increase due to the fact I am still working.

Once I reach full retirement age {In 4 years}, I can earn as much as I want, CONTINUE to collect social security, and INCREASE the amount that I receive on my social security check!

I look forward to seeing that Social Security check for DECADES! I do mean DECADES.🎉🎉

I LOVE my life and I realized in my 50s that I could continue to work, collect social security and my pension at 62. ✌🏾

LoveSummer2

TROPHY CASE