Dear Rusty: Enjoyed your recent article on claiming SS benefits. I feel, however, any decision making should also include what I call the “wearing out” factor. Yes, financial need, health and longevity are definite criteria for a decision. The inevitable problem (I just turned 83) is the speed at which many of us descend down the back side of that hill after we hit around age 65. Yes, one might live to 85-90 but as you age after 65, many physical limitations begin to appear. Only then does one realize their earlier retirement decision (waiting to max out SS) might not have been honestly evaluated to the extent needed. I speak from experience: after having reached 60 in excellent health, I took early retirement from work, then Social Security at 62 and am glad I did so. I figure the degree

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