Social Security

So went to the SS office today, and had a great and informative time with our staff (agent). Of course, Chuck my numbers cruncher went with me. I turned 62 this year (okay so know ya'll know how old I am LOL).. Chuck had crunched a lot of numbers, and our agent, Angela crunched some more... and was so helpful... we left without me applying (if I return within 6 months from today, they retro it or something... I'm not a numbers person, reconciling the check book is about as much as I can handle)... chuck is redoing some numbers.. bottom line, I might wait until I'm 63 (in Feb)... just hate to wait until I'm 66... heck I could get run over by a bus, even though we don't have public busing in HOptown LOL... anyone else take early retirement? Would love to hear why/decision for yes or no.

Now all you youngin's can move to the next topic LOL

Yes, I DID AT 63- decided to take it early even though it was less money monthly. I have no regrets in doing so, but my hubby is on SS too and he has a good amount so combined its nice. I thought about it for a long time before I made a decision.

My husband took at age 60, he is happy he did. I have a few years to go but I too, will take at 60.

idatater - hope your husband and you are doing well.

Wel after re-crunching the numbers, I will be applying to start in Feb at age 63... Chuck is getting a pretty hefty chunk... he started early, but we're comfortable with his monthly stipend... just that by my starting now, we won't have to borrow from Peter to pay Paul every few months (like holidays and vacations!). My 3 best friends who also turned 62 this year, have signed up and are getting SS.... we've decided to get on the band wagon.

Trax.... is Canadian SS anything like the USA?

Well, I do not know what it is like in the USA, my guess is primarily the same. We get by; no frills - but then we are not frilly kind of folks.

I think what save us is our medical system. Because of the recent surgery, Gary has to take several medications. If we had to deal with those costs, well, there would be no hope.

No matter, if you are in the USA or Canada - take it when you can take it. The way the banking/financial system is going there might be nothing left! Yikers

Totally agree Trax by taking it when we can... you just never know. I won't get medcare until I'm 65, so am still am paying thru the nose for medical insurance (with a self insure policiy thru Blue Cross/BlueShield, which tends to go up in cost each birthday (currenly $171 a month for just me... and what ticks me off, I rarely go to the doctor.. in fact, maybe twice in the last 5 years for minor things which the nurse practioners tend to). I just wished the US would get on board with the Canadian medical system... maybe, just maybe, with Pres Obama's ideas, well come close (which sadly so many people are opposed to).

Hey anyone reading this, I don't mean to start a political war. just voicing my thoughts.

That is not all to bad Dee. We pay 320 a month for the family through hubby's employer and it doesn't cover anything.

I am not following here, Tara - you pay $320 (to a medical insurance company?) a month for the family and that does not cover anything? (many curse words are spewing). . .

I do not think anyone is here to offend. It is somewhat interesting for me to see and try to understand what you folks in the USA are up against with the current system you rely on.

I can tell you if Canada was on the same system - hub would have been in the coffin by now as there would be no way for us to have footed the bill for his recent surgery/hospitalization.

On a side note - I know of folks who will stumble on in to a walk in clinic to have a toe nail clipped; some will get a lil bit of a sniffle and wine their way down to a clinic. This to me burdens the system and the staff. Personally, the further I can stay away from a doctor, (oh for good measure lets add the lawyer, the politician, ah heck fill in the ________) - the better off I'll be.

Yup Lori, I agree.

Yes Trax, we pay 320, and that is with the employer contribution. It covers very little, as I have sadly found out. Plus we start off with a $1500 deductible per person (family of 4- $6000) before the insurance kicks in with a 20% coinsurance AND copays. His employer gives us an HSA of $1500. This will be our last shot, it's our second year and they have a lifetime payout of $3000, so next year we wont even have that.

If I could only be paid for the hours and hours and hours I have spent fighting with them when they screw something up.... You would think you pay that kind of money you should be all set, but no. They seem to screw something up almost every time.

Insurance is a racket, whether is is health, house, or car. They will get your money, and you are lucky if you get a lollipop in the end.

We don't have Health insurance, it was actually costing us more than we were paying to go to the Dr without it. I do have hospitalization for all of us, but that's it.

Our local clinic has a sliding scale. Recently I had to get my medical records from them for the last two years and I was shocked to realize that I hadn't been in their office except for allergy shots in that whole time. Sure I've had colds, but I don't usually go to the Dr. for them. Unfortunately, I do get kidney stones. That's where I end up spending money on my health.

If there were a plan for only hospitalization around here, I'd sign up for that. Where do you get your coverage through, Erin?

We got it thru DH's work, they had "options", and thank goodness for it.

Hmmm. If one company offers it, there are bound to be others. That's all I really want for now anyway. Prescription coverage would be nice, but right now our health is good and we don't get monthly prescriptions. I just don't want to get stuck with hospital bills in an emergency.

I will look for the papers, we have never used it, so I just filed them for later...