One Week to Retirement

[jerryaldini]

Originally Posted by 493rd

Between 66 and 67 for anyone alive. If you can wait on SS do it; it’s an 8% increase year-over-year until 70.

Remember to factor in the returns you're getting on the SSI. It's reducing how much you would otherwise draw down existing assets that can remain invested. As the investment return assumption increases during those early years it makes waiting less advantageous. Obviously earlier death does the same. It's designed to have a break even death age that roughly matches average life expectancy, early to mid 80s . Bottom line is there are unknowns that make it unclear.

The good news is when I've done the math it doesn't make that much difference except in the case of very long life, say past 95 where waiting is clearly better. Obviously if you need the cash now to spend you take it. I tend to do life using the Buddha's middle path and will probably start it at 65 and not fret over it!