Why retiring at 62 is a good idea?

Asked by: Ms. Vicenta Hintz PhD  |  Last update: February 9, 2022
Score: 5/5 (66 votes)

Reason #1: Retire Early if You Want to Stay Healthier Longer
But not all work is good for you; sometimes it's detrimental to your health. Retiring at 62 from a backbreaking job or one with a disproportionately high level of stress can help you retain, or regain, your good health and keep it longer.

Is there a benefit to retiring at 62?

You can start receiving your Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62. However, you are entitled to full benefits when you reach your full retirement age. ... If you start receiving benefits early, your benefits are reduced a small percent for each month before your full retirement age.

What are the disadvantages of retiring at 62?

Some Cons of Retiring Early
  • It could be bad for your health. ...
  • Your Social Security benefits will be smaller. ...
  • Your retirement savings will have to last longer. ...
  • You'll need to find health insurance. ...
  • You might get bored and miss working.

Can you collect Social Security at 62 and still work?

You can get Social Security retirement or survivors benefits and work at the same time. But, if you're younger than full retirement age, and earn more than certain amounts, your benefits will be reduced. The amount that your benefits are reduced, however, isn't truly lost.

Is it better to take Social Security at 62 or 67?

You can begin collecting your Social Security benefits as early as age 62, but you'll get smaller monthly payments for the rest of your life if you do. Even so, claiming benefits early can be a sensible choice for people in certain circumstances.

Why retiring at 62 is a good idea?

37 related questions found

What is the average Social Security check at age 62?

At age 62: $2,364. At age 65: $2,993. At age 66: $3,240. At age 70: $4,194.

What is the penalty for retiring at 62?

A worker can choose to retire as early as age 62, but doing so may result in a reduction of as much as 30 percent. Starting to receive benefits after normal retirement age may result in larger benefits. With delayed retirement credits, a person can receive his or her largest benefit by retiring at age 70.

Can you get Medicare at 62?

You can only enroll in Medicare at age 62 if you meet one of these criteria: You have been on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for at least two years. You are on SSDI because you suffer from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease. ... You suffer from end-stage renal disease.

What is the best month to start Social Security?

Individuals first become eligible to receive a benefit during the month after the month of their 62nd birthday. So, someone born in May becomes eligible in June. Since Social Security pays individuals a month behind, the person will receive the June benefit in July.

What happens if I retire at 62 and keep working?

You can collect Social Security retirement benefits at age 62 and still work. If you earn over a certain amount, however, your benefits will be temporarily reduced until you reach full retirement age.

Does retiring early extend life?

Retiring early can actually lengthen your life, economists from the University of Amsterdam affirmed in a 2017 study published in the journal of Health and Economics. ... For one, retiring frees you up, allowing you more time to invest in your health.

Do you live longer if you retire early?

Authors of the meta-analysis examined 25 studies and, again, reached an equivocal conclusion. Researchers found no association between early retirement and mortality compared with on-time retirement.

At what age do most people retire?

Many workers look forward to the day when they can retire. A recent survey from Natixis Investment Managers set out to find out exactly when most Americans hope to stop working. The average age is 62, the research found.

How much can you earn if you retire at 62 in 2021?

Starting with the month you reach full retirement age, there is no limit on how much you can earn and still receive your benefits. Beginning in August 2021, when you reach full retirement age, you would receive your full benefit ($800 per month), no matter how much you earn.

At what age is Social Security no longer taxed?

At 65 to 67, depending on the year of your birth, you are at full retirement age and can get full Social Security retirement benefits tax-free.

How can I retire at 62?

You can apply up to four months before you want your retirement benefits to start. For example, if you turn 62 on December 2, you can start your benefits as early as December. If you want your benefits to start in December, you can apply in August.

How do I get insurance if I retire early?

Healthcare expert and founder of insurance marketplace Healthcare.com Jeff Smedsrud said there are several ways to get health insurance if you find yourself in this situation.
  1. Get coverage through your state or Medicaid. ...
  2. Get coverage through the healthcare marketplace. ...
  3. Get coverage through your old employer with COBRA.

How much should I budget for health insurance if I retire early?

Many financial professionals recommend retirees earmark 15 percent of their monthly budget for health care expenses, a percentage that has grown as health care inflation continues to outpace the rate of general inflation and life expectancies rise. But that's just an average.

How much does Medicare cost at age 62?

Reaching age 62 can affect your spouse's Medicare premiums

He can still receive Medicare Part A, but he will have to pay a monthly premium for it. In 2020, the Medicare Part A premium can be as high as $458 per month.

Should I take my Social Security at 62?

The minimum age to claim benefits is 62. 1 If you are turning 62 and need the income from Social Security to support yourself, then you can start claiming your benefits now. However, if you have enough other income to keep you going until you are older, you may want to delay increasing the size of your monthly benefit.

When a husband dies does the wife get his Social Security?

A surviving spouse can collect 100 percent of the late spouse's benefit if the survivor has reached full retirement age, but the amount will be lower if the deceased spouse claimed benefits before he or she reached full retirement age.

Is it better to take Social Security at 62 or wait?

You might think that waiting for bigger benefits is better, but that's not always the case. There is no definitive answer to when you should collect Social Security benefits, and taking them as soon as you hit the early retirement age of 62 might be the best financial move.

How long does the average person live after they retire?

A paper attributed to the aircraft-maker Boeing shows that employees who retire at 55 live to, on average, 83. But those who retire at 65 only last, on average, another 18 months. The "Boeing study" has been quoted by newspapers, magazines and pundits. It's circulated on the internet for years.