Collecting Social Security: Now or Later?

The following article helps you sort through the details of answering an age-old question (no pun intended): Should I collect Social Security at age 62, or if I am able should I wait until later? While many people are in a financial bind that nearly forces them to take their Social Security benefits as soon as they turn 62 to meet their mortgage payments and basic necessities, others can afford to wait for a while. If you are one that can afford to wait, this article will tell you WHY you should wait.

The article points out that working longer to save more and receive a larger check in the future can be helpful to rebuild retirement accounts that may have been ravaged in the market. The article also discusses the advantages of a bigger nest egg and points out that if the unfortunate happens, the surviving spouse would receive a larger payment. In addition, this article takes a look at the real question when it comes to Social Security benefits: how long do you expect to live?

In this article you’ll also find helpful online tools for estimating your benefit amounts at various ages to help you decide if the money is worth the wait.

When to collect Social Security



For information on Social Security Disability, visit the

Social Security Disability Benefits Resource Center

Will I Get SSI or SSD Disability With a Ruptured Disc?

SSI (supplemental Security Income) disability is a need based disability program administered by the Social Security Administration. Like all need-based programs, an individual’s ability to receive benefits depends upon meeting certain income and resource limits. In addition to income and resource limits, an individual must have a medically determinable mental impairment and/or physical impairment that has prevented them from performing any substantial work activity (SGA) for twelve months, is expected to prevent substantial work activity for twelve months, or is expected to result in death.

Social Security disability programs are based more upon an individual’s residual functionality (what an individual is able to do despite the limitations imposed upon them by their medical condition or conditions), than what an individual’s particular medical or mental condition.

So will an individual get SSI disability with a ruptured disc? The answer to this question is “possibly”. Keep in mind; your ruptured disc has to be a medically determinable impairment that is documented by objective medical evidence such as an MRI, CT scan, or x -ray, along with clinical information including an analysis of your symptoms and medical examinations.

Social Security does accept statements from your treating physician and third parties (friends, employers, family members, etc.), however these statements are basically worthless without objective medical evidence. If possible, it is important to have an established medical history with a treating physician, however even hospital emergency room medical treatment records are preferable to no treatment notes. Remember, SSI and Social Security disability depends upon what an individual is able to be in spite their disabling condition. If your ruptured disc has prevented you from performing routine daily activities such as personal grooming, driving, household chores, and substantial work activity, your chances of being medically approved for SSI or Social Security disability due to your ruptured disc are good. Since SSI disability is a need based disability program you have to be medically approved for disability, as well as meet income and resource limits to get disability benefits.



For information on Social Security Disability, visit the

Social Security Disability Benefits Resource Center