Motley Fool (Page 2): I like the Fool and find their comments entertaining...but my finances are such that my investments are low dollar and not likely to make or break me!

skylinefirepest Loc: Southern Pines, N.C.

I like the Fool and find their comments entertaining...but my finances are such that my investments are low dollar and not likely to make or break me!

Hank Radt

When to start taking SS is a huge and complicated question, best answered by real expertise, starting with the site RonBoyd provided. One of the things to consider, just for example, is if you have a spouse, particularly a younger one - that can be a major deciding factor in determining when to start.

Again, with your specific question now clear, you're better off on a site that specializes in this, and even then, talking with a specialist. Unlike financial advisers (for whom I have a healthy skepticism - could you tell?), SS advisers are fee based (at least to my knowledge) and the laws and regulations are so incredibly complex that it is probably worthwhile to engage one. The ONLY possible exception would be where there is but one choice, which is if you NEED the benefits now. In that case, everything else is moot.

DSandoz

I thought about getting the fool newsletter at one time. However, I'm very skeptical. After doing a lot of searching (google and the likes) I found a considerable amount of negative information about the Gardiners. Their advertising is phenomenal. I really enjoyed the free stuff but since decided against joining. I do my own thing now. A lot of individual stocks and a few funds.

dlwhawaii Loc: Sunny Wailuku, Hawaii

Steve_m wrote:

I have calculated my SS starting at 62 versus 65. I came up with a result that I will break even when I will be 92 years old.

I would suggest your calculate how much you would receive (Partial Total) at age 62 through 66.5. Then calculate how long it would take you to make up the difference, because you will still be drawing the partial. Partial Total divided by (Full minus Partial) monthly to find out how many months it would take you to break even. :-)

Mary Kate Loc: NYC

Steve_m wrote:

I have calculated my SS starting at 62 versus 65. I came up with a result that I will break even when I will be 92 years old.

Thinking of course that SS as we know it will be in the shape it is now. It will not be. It will be less than. Unless those whore politicians do something. They will not.

oregon don

RonBoyd wrote:

What are the results if you die at, say 80? ... or 70?

or if you die at 63?

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Steve_m wrote:

I have calculated my SS starting at 62 versus 65. I came up with a result that I will break even when I will be 92 years old.

If you are healthy and think you will live a long time, then wait to take your maximum retirement at age 67. If you have smoked, have diabetes, and or heart disease, then your life expectancy is not all that great at age 65, so start getting social security as early as you can!

Of course - that assumes you are not working! If you are employed, then you may end up paying much more income tax on your SS benefits, so put them off until you retire....

Steve_m Loc: Southern California

dlwhawaii wrote:

I would suggest your calculate how much you would receive (Partial Total) at age 62 through 66.5. Then calculate how long it would take you to make up the difference, because you will still be drawing the partial. Partial Total divided by (Full minus Partial) monthly to find out how many months it would take you to break even. :-)

That's what I did. Not 66.5 but in my case 65.25. I made a spreadsheet in Excel. The only thing I did not included are periodical raises from SS. Last time it was about $2.00

Hal81 Loc: Bucks County, Pa.

A guy buried his mother in the local cemetery and never paid the grave diggers. He just got a note "Up she comes"

Hal81 Loc: Bucks County, Pa.

My wife's best friends son inlaw is the local undertaker. Im 87 and every time I see him he gets out his tape and checks me out from head to toe. I wonder why?

ncribble Loc: Albuquerque, NM

Yes Worley, I have subscribed to the Motely Fool for the last ten years. I find their recommendations sound and they have led a large percentage of my investments. The bottom line is they have made me money, so it is easy to endorse their services

Norm

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

DSandoz wrote:

I thought about getting the fool newsletter at one time. However, I'm very skeptical. After doing a lot of searching (google and the likes) I found a considerable amount of negative information about the Gardiners. Their advertising is phenomenal. I really enjoyed the free stuff but since decided against joining. I do my own thing now. A lot of individual stocks and a few funds.

I tried the Fool for a year and my experience was that you needed a ton of money to make their recommendations work. They give you a continuous stream of suggestions and if you took them all, you would be in good shape. Problem is they aren't flawless and they do pick some losers as well as winners. If you try to cherry pick their recommendations you could end up with some of their losers. I didn't have the bank to buy all their suggestions. If you want some really good advice check out Amit Daryanani. He makes suggestions on E*TRADE and has a success rate of 92%. Now that is a good batting average!

docdish Loc: Saint Petersburg, FL

You should first take advantage of Personal Capital. It will let you track all of your holdings, bank accounts, and spending for FREE. Also, lets you predict retirement income and goals for FREE. Low-cost index funds are the least expensive way to invest in a diversified way. IBD, Investors Business Daily, which is now weekly is a good way to pick individual stocks if you are interested. It is no longer necessary to use expensive brokers to meet or beat the average market return.

RonBoyd

docdish wrote:

You should first take advantage of Personal Capital. It will let you track all of your holdings, bank accounts, and spending for FREE. Also, lets you predict retirement income and goals for FREE. Low-cost index funds are the least expensive way to invest in a diversified way. IBD, Investors Business Daily, which is now weekly is a good way to pick individual stocks if you are interested. It is no longer necessary to use expensive brokers to meet or beat the average market return.

Yes, PC is invaluable... as is Mint, among others.

The best advice in this whole thread: "It is no longer necessary to use expensive brokers to meet or beat the average market return."