Does it make sense to take Social Security at 62 and invest it?

The short answer is wait until 70 to claim Social Security. The long answer is that claiming as early as possible — at age 62—and investing that money still is unlikely to beat the returns seen from waiting for a larger payout, according to a new study in the Journal of Financial Planning.

Is it smart to take Social Security early and invest it?

In theory, taking benefits early to invest might sound good. But in reality, there are a lot of pitfalls. Every so often, a reader asks Retirement Report whether it makes sense to take Social Security benefits early and invest them. The answer: No, it usually doesn't.

How should a 62 year old invest their money?

Conventional financial wisdom says that you should invest more conservatively as you get older, putting more money into bonds and less into stocks. The reasoning is that if your stocks take a tumble in a prolonged bear market, you won't have as many years for prices to recover and you may be forced to sell at a loss.

Should I take Social Security now and invest it?

Most personal finance experts suggest that you wait to claim Social Security benefits as long as possible because each year you delay (until you turn 70), the larger your monthly benefit gets.

What is the average Social Security check at age 62?

According to the SSA's 2021 Annual Statistical Supplement, the monthly benefit amount for retired workers claiming benefits at age 62 earning the average wage was $1,480 per month for the worker alone.

Should You Take Social Security at Age 62 and Invest it?

Why retiring at 62 is a good idea?

Your Social Security benefit is guaranteed to increase by 8% for each year of delayed claiming between your full retirement age and age 70. If you think you can beat that amount through other investments, you could receive more abundant financial rewards by taking Social Security early and investing the proceeds.

What is the disadvantage of taking Social Security at 62?

The advantage of taking retirement benefits early is that you start to collect the money that you've been paying over to the government monthly since you started working. The downside to that, however, is that it causes a permanent reduction in your Social Security retirement benefit.

What is the best age to take Social Security?

From a Social Security standpoint, you can start getting lower benefits as early as age 62, or you can delay retirement up to age 70 for your maximum monthly benefit amount. At age 62, your benefit amount is about 25 percent lower than your full benefit at age 66.

When should I take Social Security if I dont need it?

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 delay taking your benefits from your full retirement age up to age 70, your benefit amount will increase.

Should I take Social Security at 62 or use IRA assets?

I say if you need the money, take from the IRA during your 60s, if that's enough. If you do need the money it means you are probably in a lower tax bracket, so it won't cost you that much, plus you are bringing down that taxable money, and you'll get a bigger check with Social Security starting at age 70 1/2.

What is a good amount of money to retire with at 62?

If you're looking to retire comfortably and still have a good lifestyle, you'll need to save some money. Experts typically recommend having at least $500,000 saved up before you retire.

How much should a 62 year old have saved for retirement?

Suggested savings: The general guidelines recommend having eight times your annual salary saved by 60. The median income for a 55-year-old is about $57,500, which means having $460,000 saved for retirement. The average savings for those 55-65 is $197,322.

Is it better to take Social Security early or use savings?

Taking Social Security early reduces your benefits, but you'll also receive monthly checks for a longer period of time. On the other hand, taking Social Security later results in fewer checks during your lifetime, but delaying means each check will be larger.

How do I get the $16728 Social Security bonus?

Is it better to take Social Security early or use 401k?

There is a good reason, however, to consider relying on 401(k) withdrawals for as long as possible before taking Social Security retirement benefits. Delaying benefits longer can result in a higher benefit amount.

Can I draw Social Security at 62 and still work full time?

You can get Social Security retirement benefits and work at the same time. However, if you are younger than full retirement age and make more than the yearly earnings limit, we will reduce your benefit. Starting with the month you reach full retirement age, we will not reduce your benefits no matter how much you earn.

Why you shouldn't take Social Security early?

Reasons to not claim Social Security at 62

Start collecting before that age, and your benefit checks will shrink (though you'll likely collect more of them, of course). Delay collecting until one or more years after that age, and your benefits will increase by about 8% for each year that you delay, until age 70.

What happens to my Social Security if I retire at 62 but don't take until 67?

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.

Do most people take Social Security at 62?

Regardless of your full retirement age, you're allowed to start receiving your Social Security retirement benefits early as age 62 or as late as age 70. Most people start collecting Social Security at age 62 -- and there are some compelling reasons why you should do the same.

Is taking Social Security at 62 the same as 67?

Social Security benefits will be reduced by 25% for a person who retires at 62 whose full retirement age is 66 (born 1943-1954). Social Security benefits will be reduced by 30% for a person who retires at 62 whose full retirement age is 67 (born in 1960 or later).

At what age do you get 100 of your Social Security benefits?

If you start receiving benefits at age 66 you get 100 percent of your monthly benefit. If you delay receiving retirement benefits until after your full retirement age, your monthly benefit continues to increase.

What no one tells you about early retirement?

You may have a long, long life ahead of you

A woman who retires at 55 will have to make her savings last for 28.6 years, on average, compared to 20.4 years if she retires at 65. A man who retires at 55 will have to stretch his savings for 25.1 years, rather than 17.8.

Do most people retire at 62?

A 2022 Employee Benefit Research Institute survey reports the median expected retirement age for workers is age 65, but the median reported retirement age among retirees is age 62.

Can I get Medicare at age 62?

1. The typical age requirement for Medicare is 65, unless you qualify because you have a disability. 2. If you retire before 65, you may be eligible for Social Security benefits starting at age 62, but you are not eligible for Medicare.