What is Your Retirement Age?

Here in the U.S. people retire at all ages. You read different articles on the subject of retirement and a lot of different ages may be mentioned. (Ex: 55 – 59 ½ – 62 – 65 – 66 – 67 – 70 ½ – 80)

I find that when I ask someone this question:  …… What is the “official” retirement age ? 

Most answer:  Age 65 …… (As if there really is such a thing ?)

But let’s pause for a minute and ask ourselves: Is there really an official retirement age ?  

Today the word retirement, too many of the “Baby Boomers”,  means ….”To Re-invent”…… Yes, you’re entering a new phase of your life, …. But….. Not all, are calling themselves retired. These various ages mentioned above, may cause you to think of different things.

Age 55 - Withdrawing from my 401(k) without the 10% early withdrawal penalty.

Age 59 ½ – Withdrawing from my IRA without the 10% early withdrawal penalty.

Age 62  - I can begin Social Security  ….“Reduced” benefits Though”.

Age 65 – I can begin Medicare.

Age 66 - I can begin Social Security ….. “Full Benefits and maybe creative strategies”.

Age 67 - If you were born in 1960 and later, this is your magic age for Social Security.

Age 70 ½ - I need to start taking Required Minimum Distributions (RMD’s) form my IRA.

Age 80 - Maybe then, I’ll use the word “Retired”…..... Maybe ?