I am a 62 year old female with health issues, and have always been in secretarial jobs that always paid low wage, should I file for social security retirement now. In consideration of the following my social security retirement amount would be $1100 per month it will be very difficult financially with $1100 per month. No savings, no 401k so it looks like I might have to continue working. I have been taking care of my Mom full time for the last 7 years she died of cancer in 2020. Now I am looking for work. What are your recommendations?

Hi. You don't mention any marital history, so my answer assumes that you don't have any options other than collecting Social Security based on your own earnings history.

If your health issues might be severe enough to be considered as disabling, your best option would likely be to apply for Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits. SSDI benefits are paid at a rate equal to 100% of a person's primary insurance amount (PIA), which is the same as the amount that they'd receive if they filed for their Social Security retirement benefits at full retirement age (FRA). In other words, if you qualify for SSDI you could draw your full unreduced Social Security retirement benefit early.

If you can't qualify for SSDI, then you'd probably be better off to wait as long as possible to start drawing your benefits, but you wouldn't want to wait past age 70 to start collecting. Social Security retirement benefits continue to grow up until a person turns age 70 if they wait until then to start drawing, but they don't get any higher if you wait beyond age 70 to start drawing. The earlier that you start drawing prior to age 70, the lower the monthly benefit rate that you'll be stuck with for the rest of your life.

You may want to consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully analyze the options available to you in order to determine your best strategy for maximizing your benefits.

Best, Jerry