Testimonials From Retirees Who STARTED SS AT 62 (Regrets?)

Taking Social Security at 62? Here are 4 testimonials from retirees who chose to do just that. Do they regret it?
Note: Info from the National Bureau of Economic Research and AARP.

Hi, my name is Duane. After a career in the music industry, I retired early at 59 in 2021 with just over $500K. Soon thereafter, the stock market (and my investment portfolio) tanked. This is my early retirement journey.

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If you received some good info from this video, feel free to buy me a coffee!

[larrynorris]

Retired at 64 and took Social Security at the same age. I’m now 67, do no side hustles or part time work, and have no regrets. Enjoying my retirement.

[gennyjustdownthelane]

Cannot wait until I hit 62 and retire. I’m so over it all.

[authorjohnwquinn]

Retired from the Navy at 40 after a challenging 21 year career. I turn 62 next month and will take SS starting in June. Totally debt free and totally retired. Single, no kids. Excited for what's next!

[xaviotesharris]

My father waited to full retirement age. He got by on his military retirement until then. He died of a heart attack after collecting one check. I learned that lesson. Took SS the first minute I could and have been collecting it for 10 months. No regrets.

[lynnhovater]

I’m a retired teacher and enjoy my state pension every month. I will turn 62 in August and plan to begin drawing SS this year. My hubby drew SS at 63. We have no mortgage and owe very little. He does have investments and we have savings that are easy to access. Thankful that I’m no longer teaching and enjoying retirement. We married young and both worked hard, raised a family and will celebrate 41 years this year. Both my sisters died in their 40’s and my mom died at 61 and only drew 18 months of her pension and no SS. Taking my money as quick as I can. 😊

[Florida_Joe]

I retired at 56, I'm now 58. I plan on taking SS at 62. Best decision I've ever made. I have the time and ENERGY to do whatever I want everyday! The only downside for me, is people seem very envious. So, I just tell most people that I work from home, etc...

[robertnessell]

I retired at 62 in Mexico. I am now 76. Was a great decision. I have my second Mexican wife. The first died in 2919. Now we have a little ranchito. We have animals and big gardens. I come to Mexico with 750 dollars. God has been good for me. Praise his name.

[happylistener]

I retired at 60 free of debt and happily left the wage slavery rat race workforce in 2021. No regrets. Today our family of retirees is gratefully blessed, thriving and enjoying a well earned comfortable retirement.😊

[daykl]

I retired at age 60 and took SS at age 62. I will be 70 in a month and I’ve never regretted taking SS when I did. My wife retired healthy at age 59 and died at age 64 after an illness. She drew SS for 2 years and 4 months after paying in for almost 45 years. I receive 3 pensions in addition to SS so it’s a smaller percentage of my retirement income than most but I’m glad I took it while I’m healthy enough to enjoy the money.

[philipdefrancisco]

I am taking it this month at 66 and a half. Physical labor, lots of standing, two hernia operations in three years, it is time! Really struggled the past 6 to 8 years, but no regrets. I was able to boost my savings as well. But I was tapped out mentally and emotionally.

[GaMt]

Retired 3 years ago at 62. Best decision for me. Pay off everything possible before considering retirement.

[jayf]

My wife and I are both 71. We are oddballs who stayed with their employers for over 30 years We saved and invested wisely during our peak earning years. We both checked out at age 60. Part of our plan all along was to take our SS at age 62. We're approaching ten years since taking SS at age 62 with absolutely ZERO regrets. My mother died at age 80 and my father at age 79. My brother died at age 73 from cancer. Life is short. Life is a gamble. Life is unpredictable. The longer you wait to take SS, the more likely you are to get your check while at an assisted living facility with a drool cup under your chin. A lot of good all that money you paid into the system for decades does you then.

[stevegorkowski]

Worked repairing equipment in a factory. Retired at 62 live on 75% of my SS check. I bought all the high priced hobby equipment before I retired. My in-city garden gives me 60% of my food. I repair my cars and things in the home. I ride an Ebike for my trips 10 miles or less from my home. My cash is building up so I am updating utility type equipment, building a greenhouse. I do store food by canning food and I buy bulk food. I make most of my meals and eat organic.
When I retired the money I saved using the 4% rule and SS would be more than working.
Investments so far are over 10% return each year and I have not touched the money.
My challenge so far is to spend money I saved.
I love full retirement. I would not want to be forced into being semi-retired.

[boiledeggs]

Duane! Look at all these comments. From what I see there is no hating going on. Just good conversation and exchange of ideas!

[mamajudesays]

I would not retire at 62 on SS because I have other options, but I absolutely understand it when people make that choice.

[strothermartin]

I got mine at 62. Knees and back. I'm not working to 70 like that. Cleaning schools for 25 years. House paid for. Have pension, 403B SS. I have not spent one SS check. Banking it.🎉🎉🎉

[JohnLaursen-ut]

Retired at 52 ( they closed my place of employment), collected a pension, and union negotiated supplement til 62. Then started collecting SSI, and pension. Supplement was dropped. I'm 67 now, and have NEVER regretted it. Spending quality time with parents, and grandchildren. Live comfortably, and consider myself TRULY BLESSED!!

[jackpoage]

I retired and took SS at 62. I had low cost of living, no debt, and good health going for me. 74 now and no regrets. It definitely helps that I was an auto tech so my car expenses are very low.

[pamp]

Good video!! JUST retired in Dec 2023, hyperventilated over the idea of withdrawing from 401k. Decided to take Social Security at age 64 in February, 2024. Between mine, and my husband’s SS, at this point in life, it’s well more than enough to make our monthly expenses. Decision made!!

[Mary-tjqx]

This is a good one. We all know a lot of people have to take social security at 62 because of health issues but encouraging people to think this through is really valuable. There are a lot of people who take it early who have no other retirement savings and are locking themselves in to very low income for the rest of their lives. In situations where they could have waited, they probably should have. Not many people are giving ordinary people who don’t have financial advisors this kind of guidance, and it is needed.