Dear Savvy Senior,
I turn 62 early next year and plan to retire soon after. Most advice says I should wait to claim Social Security because my monthly benefit will be higher. But with all the recent news about Social Security’s financial problems, I’m wondering if taking benefits early might be the safer choice. Is there ever a good reason to claim at 62? — Ready to Retire
Dear Ready,
You’re definitely not alone in asking this.
The latest Social Security Trustees Report projects the retirement trust fund could be depleted around 2032 if Congress doesn’t act. If that happens, Social Security would still collect payroll taxes and pay benefits, but retirees could face an across-the-board cut of about 22 percent.
Before you rush to file, keep things in perspective. Most experts still expect Congress to step in, as it has before, to strengthen Social Security. And even if lawmakers don’t act, waiting would still produce a higher monthly benefit because any across-the-board benefit cut would apply to everyone. While claiming at 62 means collecting benefits sooner, it also permanently locks in a smaller check.
That said, there are several situations where claiming Social Security at 62 can make good financial sense.
You can start Social Security at 62, but doing so permanently reduces your monthly benefit by about 30 percent compared with waiting until full retirement age (67 for those born in 1960 or later). Delaying until 70 increases your benefit by about 24 percent.
For example, a $2,000 monthly benefit at full retirement age would drop to about $1,400 at 62, or rise to roughly $2,480 if you wait until 70.
For some retirees, claiming at 62 is a practical move. If you’ve stopped working and need income for basic expenses, Social Security can provide a steady check right away. It can also serve as a bridge if you retire early or lose a job in your early 60s while delaying withdrawals from retirement accounts or a pension.
Some retirees also claim Social Security early to reduce withdrawals from their IRA or 401(k) during market downturns. The tradeoff is a permanently reduced lifetime benefit.
For married couples, timing can be coordinated as part of a broader strategy. One spouse may claim early to bring in income while the other delays to boost their future or survivor benefit.
Health is another big factor. Delaying only pays off if you live long enough to collect those higher monthly checks. The break-even point between claiming at 62 and full retirement age is around age 78 or 79.
If you’re still working, be careful here too. Before full retirement age, earnings above Social Security’s annual limit can temporarily reduce your benefit, and claiming early locks in that lower amount for life.
For many retirees, waiting means a larger guaranteed monthly benefit for life and often a higher lifetime payout if you live into your late 70s or beyond. It can also provide stronger protection against outliving savings.
For couples, delaying the higher earner’s benefit can increase the survivor benefit, which may help provide more financial security for a surviving spouse.
Before deciding, it’s smart to review your numbers. You can create a free account at SSA.gov/myaccount to check your earnings record and estimate benefits at different ages. Tools like OpenSocialSecurity.com or MaximizeMySocialSecurity.com (a paid tool with a $49 fee) can also help you compare claiming strategies.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. For most people, waiting still makes the most sense. But if you need income, have health concerns, or are coordinating benefits with a spouse, claiming at 62 may be the better choice. The key is to base your decision on your own circumstances – not fear about Social Security’s future.
A Caregiver’s Guide to Medicare
Dear Savvy Senior,
I’m taking care of my elderly father who recently had a stroke and have a lot of questions about how Medicare works and what it covers. He’s enrolled in original Medicare. Can you help me? — Caregiving Connie
Dear Connie,
Taking care of a parent after a stroke is hard enough without having to figure out Medicare too. The good news is that understanding the program can make life a lot easier. Knowing what’s covered – and what isn’t – can help you plan ahead, avoid costly surprises and make sure your father gets the care he needs. Here’s a practical guide to get you started.
One of the best places to start is the official “Medicare & You” handbook. It explains benefits and services in plain language. Medicare mails an updated copy every fall, but you can also view it online at medicare.gov/medicare-and-you.
For questions, call Medicare at 800-633-4227 to speak with a representative. They can clarify coverage for doctor visits, hospital stays, home health care, and more.
Your state’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is another great resource. SHIP counselors provide free, one-on-one counseling to help you understand your coverage, identify cost-saving programs, and answer questions about Medicare. Find a counselor near you at shiphelp.org or 877-839-2675.
Caregivers should also create a secure Medicare account at medicare.gov/account/login. Once your father’s account is set up, you can review his coverage, track claims, check the status of medical services and prescriptions, and see which preventive benefits he’s eligible for. It’s an easy way to stay organized and keep all of your father’s Medicare information in one place.
Medicare also lets you compare providers online at medicare.gov/care-compare. You can search for doctors, hospitals, rehab centers, nursing homes, hospice providers, and medical equipment suppliers in your area. This is especially useful after a stroke, when your father may need rehabilitation or specialized care at home.
Original Medicare covers many services your father may need, including hospital care, doctor visits, lab tests, and outpatient treatments.
It also covers home health care if your father is homebound, under a doctor’s care, and needs part-time skilled nursing or rehabilitation therapy, such as physical, occupational or speech therapy.
Medicare also covers medically necessary durable medical equipment and supplies prescribed by a doctor, including oxygen, wheelchairs, walkers and catheters. Short-term skilled nursing care in a facility may also be covered for up to 100 days after a qualifying hospital stay.
Prescription medications are generally covered through a separate Medicare Part D plan, which helps pay for many outpatient drugs your father may need.
Hospice care is covered for patients with a terminal illness and a life expectancy of six months or less, as certified by a doctor. It includes nursing care, medications for comfort and short-term respite care to give caregivers a break.
However, Medicare generally doesn’t pay for long-term custodial care at home, in an assisted living facility or in a nursing home. That means it generally won’t cover ongoing help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, eating, using the bathroom or supervision for someone with dementia. Routine dental care, dentures, eye exams for glasses and hearing aids are also not covered.
If your father has limited income and resources, check programs that help reduce Medicare costs. Extra Help assists with prescription drug expenses, and Medicare Savings Programs can help pay premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance.
Visit medicare.gov/basics/costs/help or call 800-633-4227 to learn more or check eligibility.
Taking time to understand Medicare can make caregiving a little less stressful. It helps you stay on top of appointments, treatments and equipment needs, while giving you greater confidence that your father is receiving the care and benefits he’s entitled to.
Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.
