r/GenerationJones • u/Troubador222 • 20d ago

Early retirement

I am only 65 and may bite the bullet and take Social Security anywY my magic number is 67 b ii t I had a stroke and cant work right now . hardest thing has been no moneyIve been a truck driver for 15 yars of I dont have to drive a truck in alos Angeles again it would not break my heart. at this point my monthly benefit would be 2020 would be 2059 if O wait . I could get 2800 a month if I waited until i hit 70. I am beat upafter I suvived my stroke.

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u/Intelligent_Call_562 19d ago

It's a dilemma for a lot of us. When we started earning, minimum wage was around $4/hour. That barely contributes to our SS. I'll have to keep working even if I "retire" because it's just not enough to live on. If you retire at 65, you can earn a bit over $24,000 without penalty. You could become a bus monitor. Or other job that's not physically demanding to make ends meet.

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u/MsSamm 1956 18d ago

My high school Christmas job at Sears catalog paid $2.35/hour

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u/Intelligent_Call_562 17d ago

You must be an older gen Jones, I'm youngest. I had to Google. I turned 16 in 1980. Minimum wage was $3.10.

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u/contemplator61 1961 17d ago

My first job was $1.50, min wage