This forum

[G3750]

Yes, I noticed the drop-off as well.

OK, so here's something to talk about: retirement.

I'm finally retired. My wife retires on April 28. We're moving in the first week of May to our retirement home.

George

You know about Spousal Support with Social Security? Be knowledgeable in advance, because once you sign up for SS retirement, there is no going back. Helped us out about $200/month.

Thanks Dave. I will keep that in mind.

George

[v8vega]

I retired and started collecting SS at 62 and I read somewhere that if I live to 80 I will have received from SS the same amount that I would have if I retired at my full amount age of 66.

[CWBurfle]

I retired and started collecting SS at 62 and I read somewhere that if I live to 80 I will have received from SS the same amount that I would have if I retired at my full amount age of 66

Social Security benefits are calculated using life expectancy tables. Basically they calculate a total that you are entitled to receive, and divide it by your life expectancy. The reason you get more money per year the longer you wait to collect is because statistically, you won't be collecting for as many years.

The life expectancy tables are not linear. It's not like we are all expected to live to be 85, so a 65 year old would collect for 20 years, and a 62 year old would collect for 23 years. I had a copy of the table, but I cannot locate it at the moment.

For anybody interested, you can go to the social security website and use an online tool to calculate your benefits if you start taking them at different ages.

[MurphOnMillerAve]

I've often wondered how many voices on this forum have actual layouts.

[rogruth]

I've often wondered how many voices on this forum have actual layouts.

Me too. I don't see any reason to ask. You know that I am NOT opposed to thread drift but look where we are
here. Social Security. Who has a layout would probably turn into with which finger do you pick your nose.
Any way, it has brought some activity so I guess that is good.

[Seaboard Air Line Fan]

I retired and started collecting SS at 62 and I read somewhere that if I live to 80 I will have received from SS the same amount that I would have if I retired at my full amount age of 66.

A year before I turned 65 I went online to SSA and started filling the forms out but quit when it started asking me about Medicare.

That following February or so I get a call from SSA, they asked me if I wanted to start getting a check then or if I wanted to wait until I actually turned 65. I asked what the difference would be and they said they would send me a check for "back pay"of about $1400 NOW and then I would start getting a regular monthly check. If I didn't take the back pay check it would take something like 7 years for me to make it up in the monthly checks...so being the ever observant civil servant that I was I told them to go ahead and send me the check.

When Medicare kicked in it took 1/2 of what I was getting from SSA, which wasn't much to begin with. Civil Service retirement is good, but they took more out every paycheck for 30+ years than your normal SSA worker has taken out of theirs.

[Roy]

I've often wondered how many voices on this forum have actual layouts.

I don't have a layout. When I feel well enough, I enjoy bashing and scratchbuilding locos and trolleys.

[E7]

I retired and started collecting SS at 62 and I read somewhere that if I live to 80 I will have received from SS the same amount that I would have if I retired at my full amount age of 66.

A year before I turned 65 I went online to SSA and started filling the forms out but quit when it started asking me about Medicare.

That following February or so I get a call from SSA, they asked me if I wanted to start getting a check then or if I wanted to wait until I actually turned 65. I asked what the difference would be and they said they would send me a check for "back pay"of about $1400 NOW and then I would start getting a regular monthly check. If I didn't take the back pay check it would take something like 7 years for me to make it up in the monthly checks...so being the ever observant civil servant that I was I told them to go ahead and send me the check.

When Medicare kicked in it took 1/2 of what I was getting from SSA, which wasn't much to begin with. Civil Service retirement is good, but they took more out every paycheck for 30+ years than your normal SSA worker has taken out of theirs.

Opinion: The key question is how much will I be able to do at age "X" if I am even still alive. Like Vega, I calculated it out, and what I lost waiting the 4 years to 66 meant I would have to live until age 78 to recoup it. I took mine at age 64, worked until I was 66. If you are fortunate enough to have good health you are ahead of the game.

[J. S. Bach]

I've often wondered how many voices on this forum have actual layouts.

If you count my DCCentral*, then yes, I have one:

Note that the current DCC is now O-72 Atlas track with two sidings down the hall.

*DCCentral = Dirty Carpet Central

[rogruth]

Dave,
IMO it counts. Love that train!!!

[rogruth]

There were, at one time, many pictures of my layout on this forum.
I don't know if they are still here but, yes, I have a layout.

[J. S. Bach]

Dave, IMO it counts. Love that train!!!

I had to shift a few cars in and out to get a cabin car on the end; I should have taken a photo of that. The EP-5 front coupler was about a half-inch from the N5-B's rear coupler with the slack run out!

[J. S. Bach]

There were, at one time, many pictures of my layout on this forum.
I don't know if they are still here but, yes, I have a layout.

A great layout as I recall. Maybe another photo" fantrip" is in order.

Edit 14apr17: Hmmm, I just remembered a visit that you called "A Flying Yankee Down in Dixie". I did not have my camera with me then, though.

[webenda]

Do Trains in Space count?

[MurphOnMillerAve]

If it makes you happy, it sure does count.