Is retiring at 62 a good idea?

Retiring at 62 can be a great idea if your finances, health, and lifestyle goals align, allowing you to enjoy time now, but it requires careful planning as it shortens savings time and reduces Social Security benefits (potentially by up to 30%). The decision hinges on your savings, debt levels, healthcare costs (especially until Medicare at 65), longevity, and desire for early leisure versus a larger nest egg later.

Are there any benefits to retiring at 62?

Retiring at 62 offers benefits like immediate freedom, reduced work stress for better health, and more time for personal pursuits (learning, volunteering), but it often means accepting permanently reduced Social Security benefits (up to 30% less) and potentially drawing down investments sooner, so it's best for those with good health, other income sources (pension, large savings), or who can't work, requiring careful financial planning.
 

What does Suze Orman say about taking Social Security at 62?

Orman explained that you can start Social Security as soon as 62, but that you shouldn't. She said: "Don't settle for a reduced Social Security benefit. If you are in good health, the best financial move you can make is to not claim Social Security before you reach your full retirement age."

What is the average Social Security check at age 62?

The average Social Security check for someone retiring at age 62 is around $1,300 to $1,340 monthly, but this amount is permanently reduced, with recent figures showing averages like $1,298 (Dec. 2023) or $1,342 (late 2024). This is significantly less than waiting for your full retirement age (FRA), typically 67 for most, when benefits increase substantially; for instance, the average for a 67-year-old was over $1,880 in late 2023. Your exact benefit depends on your earnings history, with claiming at 62 reducing it by about 30% compared to your FRA benefit. 

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

To retire comfortably at 62, you ideally need 8 to 10 times your final salary saved, aiming for around $1 million to $1.6 million if earning $100k+, but the exact amount depends on your desired lifestyle, expenses (housing, healthcare), and other income like Social Security, with guidelines suggesting 14x salary by 62 for early retirement or using the 4% rule to determine needed nest egg size. 

Why You SHOULD Retire and Take Social Security at Age 62 (5 Reasons)

What is the average 401k balance for a 62 year old?

For a 62-year-old, average 401(k) balances typically fall in the $270,000 to over $500,000 range for averages, but the median is often significantly lower, around $95,000 to $200,000, because a few very large accounts skew the average, with figures varying by data source and age grouping (e.g., 55-64 vs. 60s). A 62-year-old is often in the 55-64 age bracket, where averages hover around $271k (median $95k) or higher, while the 60s decade can see averages exceeding $500k (median $180k). 

What are the biggest retirement mistakes?

The biggest retirement mistakes involve poor planning (starting late, underestimating costs like healthcare/inflation, not having a budget) and bad financial decisions (claiming Social Security too early, taking big investment risks or being too conservative, cashing out accounts, having too much debt). Many also neglect the non-financial aspects, like adjusting lifestyle or planning for longevity, leading to running out of money or feeling unfulfilled. 

How much do you have to make to get $3,000 a month in Social Security?

To get around $3,000/month in Social Security, you generally need a high earning history, around $100,000-$108,000+ annually over your top 35 years, but waiting to claim until age 70 maximizes this amount, potentially reaching it with lower yearly earnings, say under $70k if you wait long enough, as benefits are based on your highest indexed earnings over 35 years. The exact amount depends heavily on your specific earnings history and the age you start collecting benefits. 

What is considered a good monthly retirement income?

A good monthly retirement income is often considered 70-80% of your pre-retirement income, but it truly depends on your lifestyle, location, and expenses, with benchmarks ranging from $4,000-$8,000+ monthly for a comfortable life, factoring in needs like housing, healthcare, and travel. Financial planners suggest calculating your specific "income gap" by subtracting guaranteed income (like Social Security) from your estimated needs to see what you need from savings. 

What does Dave Ramsey say about Social Security at 62?

Claiming Social Security at 62 can be risky, because if you don't have a lot of savings to supplement your benefits, you could end up short on income.

How much money will I lose if I retire at 62 instead of 65?

If a worker begins receiving benefits before his/her normal (or full) retirement age, the worker will receive a reduced benefit. 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.

What are the four documents Suze Orman says you must have?

Financial guru Suze Orman says there are four documents you absolutely must have: a will; a revocable living trust; a durable financial power of attorney; and an advance directive for health care. “Durable” means it remains in force should you become incapacitated.

Is it foolish to retire at 62?

There's nothing wrong with that! But plenty of people are. If you're living debt-free, or close to it, and you've already got plenty of assets that can be used for your retirement income, there's no reason to delay your retirement any longer than you need to.

What is the $1000 a month rule for retirement?

The $1,000 a month retirement rule is a simple guideline stating you need about $240,000 saved for every $1,000 of monthly income you want from your investments in retirement, based on a 5% annual withdrawal rate ($240k x 0.05 / 12 = $1k/month). It's a motivational tool to estimate savings goals (e.g., $3,000/month needs $720k), but it's one-dimensional, doesn't account for inflation, taxes, or other income like Social Security, and assumes steady 5% returns, making a personalized plan essential. 

What kind of insurance can you get if you retire at 62?

Retiring at 62 means you'll bridge the gap to Medicare at 65 with options like COBRA (short-term employer plan continuation), ACA Marketplace plans (often with subsidies), joining a working spouse's plan, or even part-time work; Medicaid might apply if income drops; and you'll need to plan for significant costs until Medicare eligibility at 65, as you don't get it at 62 just for retiring early. 

Is $10,000 a month a good retirement income?

Yes, $10,000 a month ($120,000/year) is generally considered a very good to excellent retirement income, often allowing for a comfortable lifestyle, travel, and extras, especially in lower-cost areas, though it depends heavily on location, pre-retirement income replacement needs, and having a large enough nest egg (like $2.5M+ for sustainable withdrawals). It's significantly above average, replacing 80%+ of a high pre-retirement income, but requires careful planning for taxes and housing. 

What is the average 401k balance at 62?

At age 62, the average 401(k) balance falls within the 55-64 age bracket, showing figures around $245,000 to $270,000 (average) and about $95,000 (median), though these numbers vary by source, with median balances often lower due to high earners skewing averages upwards. It's more important to compare your savings to your personal retirement goals than these averages, as needs differ greatly. 

How many people have $1,000,000 in retirement savings?

Data from the Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances, shows that only 4.7% of Americans have at least $1 million saved in retirement-specific accounts such as 401ks and IRAs. Just 1.8% have $2 million, and only 0.8% have saved $3 million or more.

What is one of the biggest mistakes people make regarding Social Security?

Claiming Benefits Too Early

One of the biggest mistakes people make is claiming Social Security benefits as soon as they're eligible, which is at age 62. While getting money sooner can be tempting, claiming early has a significant downside: your monthly benefit will be reduced.

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

Yes, you can draw Social Security at 62 and work full-time, but the Social Security Administration (SSA) will temporarily reduce your benefits if your earnings exceed yearly limits until you reach your Full Retirement Age (FRA), after which there's no earnings limit, and your benefit amount will increase to account for past deductions. For example, in 2025, if you're under FRA, the SSA deducts $1 for every $2 you earn over $23,400; this stops when you hit your FRA (age 67 for those born 1960+), and you get credit for withheld benefits. 

What is the number one regret of retirees?

Among the biggest mistakes retirees make is not adjusting their expenses to their new budget in retirement. Those who have worked for many years need to realize that dining out, clothing and entertainment expenses should be reduced because they are no longer earning the same amount of money as they were while working.

What does Suze Orman say about retirement?

Orman recommended making the most of retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs. She suggested contributing enough to get any employer match, as this is essentially free money. For those closer to retirement, taking advantage of catch-up contributions allowed for individuals over 50 can be a smart move.

What not to do when you retire?

In retirement, avoid overspending, claiming Social Security too early, getting too conservative with investments, isolating yourself socially, neglecting your health, and failing to plan for inflation or medical costs. Also, don't assume work friendships will last, make big financial moves without discussing them with your spouse, or rely on "common knowledge" for financial decisions.