I think there are a lot of people who decide I might as well take it because who knows IF I will make it to that.
I am 62.
My dad lived to 77. Mom to 92.
Even though I don’t anticipate needing the money when I retire, I still want back what I have put in since the age of 14. When I had the first job I paid in to SS.
Ever since Covid the LIFE EXPECTANCY has decreased. Maybe that was part of the plan.
“My dad lived to 77. Mom to 92.”
Very familiar. Big range in those genetics. Mom’s family tended to the same across the board while Dad’s did the same with no male having lived older than 78 in generations. My cousin and I are the last men of our generation standing on Dad’s side and trying to beat the odds. His brothers did not die of natural causes and his mother made it to 95, Dad’s sister made it to 99 in spite of herself. So far so good but I never take anything for granted.
I have a SS payment record dating back to when I was 12 and started helping to lay carpet for a guy. I did not miss a lick paying for the next 53 years.