On Social Security benefits..if you were 62 and were underemployed

[magical thyme]

42. absolutely

I'm sitting here wondering how I'm going to hold out in this crappy, shit-pay job that I absolutely hate until I am 62. I'll be 59 in October.

I'm working per diem as it is, so all I'd have to do is limit how many days/week I'm available to work.

I will be in better shape collecting SS and earning an additional $14K than I am right now being jerked around and earning all of $20K or so.

I remember the good 'ol days when I made some good money back when I was a high tech marcom writer/program manager. I had saved for retirement, but lost most of it to unemployment when my career crash just before I turned 50. I do own my house outright, although I made the mistake of taking out student loans to retrain in healthcare, and my car has 215K miles. I've been out of work more than in for the last 10 years, but my most recent SS statement still has me getting $1200/month at 62, $17 or 1800 at 66 and 2400 at 70. That was with exactly 35 years in the workforce, and hopefully the current shitty job will make up for a few early years when I had really low income. There was one year when my father listed me as an employee at the company where he was a district manager, and took the income (stuck me with the tax bill). And a couple years of part-time work in college. So these few years of lower income should replace those really sucky income years when they figure my average.

I had originally planned to hold out until 70, but I never expected the new work environment to be so horrible.

I also will have a teeny -- and I do mean teeny -- pension from DEC, assuming HP doesn't abscond with the entire thing. I don't expect to inherit anything, but you never know.

I was on Craigslist last night and realized if I stay in Maine, I can downsize my location and still own my own home. Maybe even get off-grid. I found a couple homestead type places in central Maine I can trade this place for if I give up being near the coast.

If I keep working at jobs I hate in sick work environments, I won't last to 70, or my life won't be worth living by then. I'd rather take my SS sooner, reduce my stress. Maybe even start a small home side business that brings in some extra money.

That was always my gut feeling, and I recently read an article or blog about how it really is a gamble and it actually is a better payoff to take the money sooner, rather than gamble that you'll live long enough -- and be healthy enough -- to enjoy your retirement.

My needs are simpler than many. Except for my animals, and that expense will lower by attrition. Eventually, I may stick to just volunteering at a nearby shelter.