Dido for me I calculated if I waited until my full retirement age which was 66 years and 8 months I would have to live to be 78 years old before the early retirement penalty cost me a penny. I retired to the Philippines and I feel so alive here, I was basically just walking dead in the States I had absolutely nothing to look forward to in life. Now I look forward to every day in the Philippines with my beautiful loving caring woman, yes she's 24 years younger than me but trust me women here are extremely mature for their age. We live on our beautiful farm which is fully paid for and she raises pig for income she loves doing it, we are completely happy and peaceful here in the mountains of Biliran Philippines.

Retired at 49. Got my Social Security at 62 because I has spent my savings. Now well into my 70's no regrets. Best thing I did was no debts.

Just turned 62 applied for early retirement in March! Thanks to the “Virus ” my retail job future not looking good. Made up my mind to go South West to live with my Sister. I’m nervous but ready to finally live life. Stay Safe.

Great to hear you fixed yourself! I told my wife 30 years ago “here’s the retirement plan I’ll see you in 30 years” Hit age 50 in 2015 I was stressed, overweight, out of shape all the males in my family have diabetes, cancer and heart disease so I started low carb and fasting. FF til November 2019 all my blood work is perfect and I’m totally healthy my company gave me an offer I couldn’t refuse and am now hitting the road with the wife at age 55.

To me, unless you love your job, retire early when you can. Life is too short!:-)

I retired 4 years ago at age 62, Here's the deal. Now if I had waited until age 66 (my full retirement age) my monthly payment would have been higher. Most people might ask, why don't you wait 4 years and get the higher amount. Here's why. What people don't think about, but they should, is the fact that by taking the money at age 62, you get a 48 month head start with the money. So I did the math and I would be almost 80 years old when the extra money I would have gotten at 66 caught up with what I was getting at 62. He's right about one thing that applies to all of us, we don't know how long we are going to live. The older you get the less you can do. The single most important thing you can do is set your target for being debt free by the time you retire. If you do that you are free to enjoy your retirement without the worry of being in debt. This is way more important than how much your SS check is. They want you to believe that waiting is the way to go. It isn't. You have to look at the total payout over time not the monthly amount.

I retired in October at the age of 61. Best decision I have ever made. My job was driving me crazy, and I had a good company pension, so why not. I sold my house in Toronto, made an ignorant amount of money off of it, paid all of my debt, bought a little house in the country, and paid cash for a used but newish car. I don’t have much savings left, but I don’t care. I am really happy. I decided to take my Canada Pension at 62 instead of 65, for the same reasons you did. Thumbs up to us geezers who beat the system. Peace and love, dude. ☮️💕

I agree with you 100%. When I hit 62 (I'm 54 now) I'm done working, I don't care about the extra couple of hundred bucks a month. We never know when we will die plus who wants to retire at 67 when we possibly already have one foot in the grave (depending on your current health). I want to enjoy my life before I die, an extra couple of hundred bucks won't change anything.

When I retire, I want all of my possessions to fit in a carry-on bag and a laptop satchel. Minimalism is NOT poverty. Minimalism is focusing on the essentials that matter for your quality of life. *The fewer things that you own, the fewer things that own you.*

Sounds like my story. I also just woke up one morning, at 62, and felt like I could not take one more day of BS. I was making good money, but hated my job. Who was to say how much longer I would live? My dad retired at 66, and died within 9 months of cancer that he didn't even know he had when he retired. People tell you to wait, but when I was telling my ex-husband about my thoughts on this, he told me he had already started collecting it as well! I'm lucky in that I have five children, and one is married to a contractor and own land and nice home in Ramona, a rural cowboy town. We have horses, alpacas, goats, dogs, cats, chickens. It's not stressful. She enjoys me living with her. If I was by myself, I would find it hard to live off of $1500 month in San Diego. I am grateful for my daughter letting me live with her. Anyways good luck to you.

I keep watching this video multiple times for inspiration and motivation. I’m in Canada and at 58 I just want to run and try something new and different. I have a decent company pension and at 60 can start pulling down CPP, which is the Canadian equivalent to Social Security, so financially I know I could do this. All I need now is the will power to pull the plug and leave ground hog day behind me. Keep doing what you’re doing Paul, you’re definitely an inspiration for the rest of us.

For all you guys out there wanting to move to the Philippines....expect change and learn you can't change their world there...learn to adapt and be nice....the Filipino people are the friendliest people....Craig Goldsberry /O'Briant

I agree with you!! I quit working/self employed right at 62, I took my social Security and went to work for one of longtime customer and worked until I hit my limit. Saved all that money for 4 years. Now my wife just retired at 57 and now we live full time in our motorhome traveling. We also bought a house during the recession for dirt cheap. We sold recently put all that money in the bank. We have lot in Oregon we bought a few years ago to later on build a new house when we get tried of traveling. Yes I don’t understand why people think that way either. I had a friend that thought that way and he worked his ass off overtime and all 12 to 15 hours a day and finally retired at 67 and passed away at 69, for what?? I have friend right now made great money saved and saved to retire early at 57 sold his house in Ca and moved to Florida, one day he felt bad went the Doctor and just found out that he has stage four pancreatic cancer at 58 years young 😞 the doctor is giving 6 mouths to a year to live. No you can’t know how long you have to live. I can tell you that I have no regrets about taking social Security early, and enjoying everyday that I am upright and pumping blood 😊 Enjoy the Philippines 🇵🇭 my son says it’s a easy life there and you can live real well off of a income $1000. We have thought about it also. 👍🏻😊 Sorry for the long text.

Health isn’t guaranteed. Get out of the game as soon as you can

Yes, we can get more money later, but the dead can't spend. - The older we get, the less likely we can "enjoy" the money.

I tell everyone I know to retire as early as you can. I retired at 52 after 30 years of running and gunning. Bought a condo on the beach in Florida when they were still recovering from the 2012 crash. I spend the 4 winter months there and am in the Rocky Mountains and Deserts of Utah, Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico the other 8 camping in the wild in my truck camper. I am super active and the cost of living is cheap. My boys come spend time with me doing awesome outdoor things or I visit them. I made it a point to remove all stress in my life and my health is near perfect. I'm 58 now and plan on taking my SS at 62 even though I don't really need it...I just hate the system so bad I'm going to take the money and probably buy gold to hedge my bets against the crazy inflation the FED is going to give us with this infinity and beyond money printing. Glad you are off all the meds and enjoying life....thanks for sharing.

I get out of bed and with this quarantine going on, I hope there is something good on KZfaq. And here you are :)

Forget about living a whole longer....you will be living a whole happier and that is what counts.

Thumbs up on this video for sure. I started delivering newspapers , shoveling snow, washing cars and raking leaves at 8 years old. I am 60 now and ready for 62. Kids these days dont realize what we did to make a buck and they are lazy as hell and dont understand why I want to retire. You said it all!!

I'll be 71 the end of May 2020. I retired at 62 , after being laid off in the middle of 2009 . I was a heavy equipment operator . I rode the Obama unemployment as long as I could . When I turned 62 I went to Social Security , with the intention of checking out Disability payments. I was counseled by a Marine Viet Nam Vet. i am a Marine Nam vet ! He advised me to retire. At the time my Doctor told me , if I went back in the seat I would end up a cripple. My Certification in Law Enforcement Correctional Officer ) had expired. So I said fuck it. I retired. I moved to the Philippines in Dec of 2012 . Had never been here previously . And I moved a 40 foot container . No I am not a gambler ! But I went all in on the move .Ilived in Cebu , Liloan and Banawa until 2015 then moved to Dumaguete . Like Paul my health has improved. I live a happy contented life with a good woman . I collect Social Security and a small pension from the State of Florida. So I am doing pretty good all things considered ! So for me moving to the Philippines was the best move I ever made >

Hey Paul, just stumbled across this video. Happy for you sir. I turn 59 this May 25th. I plan on retiring at 62. Period. Mostly every retirement/advisor type of folks I talk to say one thing in common----> "you have worked hard all your life, and at this point you are only fighting one thing, TIME". I may live to be 60, or 65, or 85. I don't know, only the Lord knows. I say this a LOT to my co-workers, write this down, keep it in your wallet and read it every once in a while...... "You can always make more money, but you can't make more time". Be well everyone, God bless.

I retired at age 54. I'm now 71 and haven't regretted it one time.

Paul....two years later this information is still worth its wait in gold. Thank for the encouragement . Please continue to share these golden nuggets. All the the best!

Here's the intangible benefit of retiring early: no matter HOW much MONEY you lose by retiring early, here's what you get for it... time. TIME is your most precious resource. There are hundreds of ways to get more money, but there are NO ways to get more time. Not only are you buying back the control of your time, but these are the BEST years you have left on the planet. You are as young and healthy as you will ever be again. That's priceless... worth far more than having a little bit more cash to buy shit you don't need. Depending on how long you wait, the extra cash will probably be used for medical bills. Better to use it now in order to make your remaining days more enjoyable. My takeaway: the absolute BEST use of whatever resources you have accumulated by age 62 is to buy back control of the time you have left. Good job Paul.

No surprise that the myths we’ve been told about health and wealth don’t hold up when you don’t follow them! Congratulations for having the wisdom to trust yourself and what is best for you. I hope this inspires others too!

I keep kicking myself. I retired at age 58 and my investment advisor told me I could've retired at age 55! I'm not wealthy or anything. I worked a union job for 30 years and played the stock market for a decade or so. I gave my son a lot of advice and it seems he's on the road to retire in his early 50's. My best advice is old age comes at a rapid rate!

My utmost respect to you for hitting bottom...getting up and ultimately being in a place where you are obviously a happy man today....good for you man! Theres people with a shitload of money that would trade places with you in a heartbeat. Stay happy....youre a rich man.

Suzie Orman wouldn't want to hear this but for sure you did the right thing!

In my case, I retired in my mid 50's, that was three years ago and loving every minute of it. Have a nice pension form the company I worked for plus they help with health insurance for me and wife. I was making six figures and took a substantial pay cut to retire but it's more then enough to live without any sacrifices. I'm glad you found happiness abroad but for me, I'm staying here in US and not thinking of moving anywhere else. Love to have family close, our kids and especially grand kids. There are lots of people scared to retire and work til 70's and beyond or when doctors tell them they got one year to live, then they retire. If you can swing it, retire, DO NOT WAIT. Get your finances in order, you will be surprised on how little you can live and be happy. No commuting to work, work stress just to name a few. Now, you need hobbies after you retire and there are plenty, old cars, motorcycles, gardening, travel, house work, find religion, help others and more. Good luck to you Paul, glad you found happiness in that neck of the woods. God Bless.

I think most postpone because they are stuck in the expensive consumer mindset. Once you realize you can live comfortably on what you have the choice becomes easier. I'm really starting to rethink my plan.

Dude, I was so glad to find your KZfaq channel this morning. I have similar thoughts as you about the rigors of working ourselves to death here in the U.S.. I am 53, on several medications, 40 lbs. overweight, and no prospects to improve my employment position/salary. I was in a bad car accident in 2018 and I feel my lifespan will be significantly shortened due to that accident. My mom died at 67 and my dad at 69. I had planned on working until 70 prior to my car accident but am rethinking everything at this point. Thank you for your philosophies on this topic.

I retired at 50..I had the honor of taking care of my mother the last 12 years of her life,,she gone now and I am 65,,never have I regretted my decision..Life is GOOD...

You don’t want to be the richest man in the cemetery. I retired early with a pension, SS at 62, VA disability at 72 and now at 73 have more money than ever. I’m in the KofC, American Legion and a Senior citizens club.

The only two things you get from working are skills to do the job, and money you earned....everything else is in your head. Job title, hierarchy in organisation....they don’t mean squat!

Very true Paul, your emotional and mental health has a great deal to to with your physical health. As a stage IV cancer survivor, I understand that well. When you stop looking forward, you are dying faster. Your right, conventional wisdom is "rarely" correct. It is a great thing that you have let your body recover. Withdrawing from meds is the best thing you can do. It allows you to know what your body is really doing and you can manage it better. Having withdrawn from 27 meds per day during cancer, to 3 is how I have learned that myself. Your doing well Paul. Your an inspiration to all of us.

I am 63 and came across this unintentionally. Great seeing a guy around my age talk frankly about something important.....everything on the net is geared to the young ( go stock market bulls) or the retirees grinning from their sailboats in investment management adds.

I was going to retire in December 2019. I had money set aside for a retirement trip to Australia and New Zealand. Then I started having problems at work. I was always put on PIP. No matter what I did it wasn't good enough. They were giving me complex work so I wouldn't make quota. No matter how hard I tried I couldn't make the quota. I am one who wants to do a good job and here I wasn't good enough. I missed my quota another month. I decided the next month if I missed the quota again I was going to apply for social security. I remember getting called into my boss's office so she could put me on PIP again. I signed everything knowing I wasn't going to be there much longer. I had already talked to HR about my pension. I let her know a few weeks later that I was retiring. I retired at the end of June. It was a three-paycheck month so I waited for that. In August I got my first social security payment. The next month I went to work as a substitute teacher. I had always wanted to be a teacher. A year after I retired I took my trip. Perhaps I should have let them fire me and I could take unemployment for awhile instead of social security. I didn't want to get fired though. I've been fired a number of times and I just didn't want to do that again.

Paul you did the right thing to retire and move where you can live off your social security and enjoy your life my friend. as long as your happy over there that is always the main thing....

all the guys here are i the same situation more or less as me, this is one of the best videos so fair thanx paul

Great video Paul straight from the heart no bullshit you say it as it is, good on you bro, live the life, be safe, be happy

I'm Filipino-American and currently living in L. A.. Next year I'll be 62 and I keep thinking whether to retire at 62 or 65. My only concern is I have some health issues that I'm needing my insurance for. Hopefully, I could overcome it with surgery in the near future and then go back to the Philippines and stay there for good. You gave me a good insight. Thank you so much. I hope you enjoy your retirement in my country and have a long life as well.

This is one of muy favorite videos, You share a lot of good points that others may be considering. I would say this is one of your top three.

You mind set is spot on. I had to file bankrupt in 2008 crisis. I worked hard to regain that credit to buy a house in 2016. Now, in 2020 with a world wide shutdown crisis I have no job, no money coming in, living at my sons just to eat, and my house is going to foreclose. I refuse to sign a forbearance contract because that is only going to postpone the inevitable of losing a home, but with a balloon payment I agreed to pay. No, not worth it. If I am lucky enough that social security is still there in six years, I am retiring. I am done with the illusion of "the American Dream" BS. Good for you for being smart. Enjoy the rest of your life sir, you deserve it.

I am 69.5 and wish I could leave my job but my job ends up being my self-esteem. I started collecting social security at 66 and took time off. I realized I was extremely depressed. I ended up working 2-3 days a week for my mental health. The people I work with are friendly, like me, and make me feel good! All the best to you!

Happy 🐣 Easter Paul, I wish I could retire now at 63 but coronavirus just destroyed my plan so I will have to work until September of 2021 after which time I hope to meet you in person. Be safe young man👍

Good for you Paul. I retired 6 months at 57 years old to focus on my health. No regrets.

Great story, Social security, take it when you need it, early late it doesn’t matter to anyone but you, you earned it.

Your best video yet, Paul. Thank you for sharing. I am 60 years old, and in very much the same situation that you found yourself in. I am planning to move to the Philippines just as soon as my SS kicks in. Hoping I live that long, because I want to live again before I die. Tired of just barely surviving.

I stumbled across this post by accident!!!! I absolutely appreciate the message here!!! 54 will be hitting me next month. I do a little more than just exist. I am a school teacher, so influencing the future is definitely rewarding, but in THIS capacity, I don’t know how much more I have left in me. I also have a wife and an 8 y/o daughter.... so there IS that consideration. I like your breakdown of the math and your plan to offset that 100$ difference. Quality of life is most assuredly key!!!! You have given me much to consider and that is highly appreciated! Thanks for allowing me to share and thank YOU for sharing!

Your videos have really made me rethink my life. Your testimony makes sense. Keep up the good work, Paul.

Hi Paul. You did the right thing. I retired at 65 I am 68 now .Moved to the Philippines a year ago live in Cebu. Best move I ever made. Thinking about moving to Siquijor.Can't stand traffic here in Cebu or Dumaguete.The only thing that bother me is insurance. From what I've heard most expats self insured then self.would like you to do a video on KZfaq on health insurance here. Any way I have learn a long time ago that you can not borrow from tomorrow.Stay safe.

Hey Paul, I related to every inch of this video and you articulated it so well...Happy Easter Brother!

I appreciate your raw honesty.

Two points, my friend took SS at 65 and died after the first check. Second, compare a person taking SS at 62 (only 3/4 the actual total) with one taking it at 65. It will take the 65 year old at least 10 years to catch up to the earlier taker.

Thanks for sharing your story Paul. Appreciate your candor and wit. Good on you for taking a chance, and changing the trajectory of an unsatisfactory and inauthentic life.Your story is an inspiration to many of us guys trapped in the "Groudhog Day" loop, and lacking the vision, and or or courage to take back our lives and live with passion and satisfaction once again. Happy Easter! Shalom from Israel..

Brutally honest......fully transparent. You will make a great friend.

I love the fact that you can laugh at your situation in the past and are making the best out of things now. I can’t imagine what your life was like before you retired as I have never found myself in that situation but based on everything you have talked about in the past and in today’s video, you definitely did the right thing. You do genuinely look happy. You laugh and smile a lot and it’s one of your contagious things I’m glad I have caught from you. I find myself smiling through the vast majority of all the videos you post. It now seems like you have lots of friends and for sure a lot of subscribers. I look forward to seeing you in the Philippines in the not so distant future. I think you have added many happy years to your life and you and baby Mae have so much to live for these days. Thanks for another outstanding video.

All good ... best part: He is risen

There are a bunch of Us outhere that have done the same as you, we now live a good life, RVing all over the Country and in good Health.

Thanks Paul for the fantastic reflection. Im sure it makes many of us think about our decision making. Can't wait to not being bothered with work anymore.

Great video Paul and a lot of good sense. I've been very poor in the past and it's the best thing that ever happened to me, gave me a lot of insight into what is and isn't important in life and while I've since been well off financially for years,largely through not jumping back on the materialistic thing when I was able again,I actually own very little but have all I need. I live by be happy with what you've got and worry about things when it's time to worry,not when it "might" happen. I've been to PH several times,currently in the UK because of elderly relatives ,when I can leave for there I'm gone.

At 55 now and starting to get on the retirement train of thought. Luckily, I have a fantastic Filipina wife, and we will be looking at places best suited for living into my end years. (She's a dozen years younger) I have yet to have a consultation at SSI, but now, through you and others, have more questions and considerations. One's mental and emotional well being definitely have an impact upon the physical. Live happily, live well. Having my wife with has made a huge difference in my outlook on life. And a better diet. Keep it up!

High-5! Great advice with sound logic to back it up. I'm glad you're living your life on your terms and thriving!

What a wonderful story !! Gives me great hope . GOD bless you and bady Mae

Happy Easter Paul and may,,,salamat 4 the good Videos,,and sharing your life experiences with us,,I'm sure you have touched alot of people,,,alot of men here feel the same way,,in America,,,its never 2 late to start over and try to find love and happiness,,and a better way of life

Thank you Paul for your information I find your videos extremely informative I hope to do exactly as you have done Happy Easter

Did exactly the same deal here with me Paulie, took the S/S at 62, my 401 was almost depleted in early 2000, bought a home in Central Fl near the Gulf for pennies and happy as a clam! Best thing I ever did in my life took the early retirement! Always Keep on 'Truck'n'! never look over your shoulder!🍷🍷😎

what i tell all the young folks to semi retire like i did at age 46, is to just not make bills. ill be 54 on next birthday and only been working 20 hours a week and enjoy the rest of my life

This is some awesome advice..! For me if I took SS at 62 it would have been $1900 a month but I waited until I was 66 to draw and I get $2540 and I get to work as much as I want. Ive got a cushion job that pays $165,000 a year. They just fired my asshole boss thats been digging in my ass for 15 years and the new boss is the guy I trained 15 years ago..! Life is good...!

Yeah Paul I needed to hear this,...I turn 60 next month...I plan to do the same.... I love and have fiance- wife there in Philippines...I was in Bacolod in 2017 and I am moving to Mindanao...best wishes Craig Goldsberry/ O'Briant

Thanks Paul. A great video.

Straight and to the point..love it...

Office workers are the human equivalent of battery hens - sitting all day in an office chair staring at a computer screen. The battery hens probably move around more.

Lol, you're very well spoken. I can appreciate your candor and I am going to do the same stuff, ret. at 62, work as little as possible. I'll be staying in the states and smoking a lot of weed.

Excellent way to look at the numbers and life. Hats off to you for your honesty and courage to make the right decision.

My sentiments exactly, good luck buddy, may you have a long and healthy retirement.

I was 37 when I retired I’m 53 now I took a big chunk of penalty . My check is less than a thousand a month same as you I’m in the Philippines laguna to be exact. Contentment is the key to my decision and I never missed anything about work or having more money. Nice to come across your channel wish you long life enjoy every single minute of it.

Paul I think you definitely made the correct decision. None of us know how long we will live. I plan to do the same.

I always learn so much from your videos Paul. Real world lessons in clear and plain language. Thank you Paul.

Attitude is everything! If you're happier, you're healthier!! Glad you found happiness and thank you for this video!

GREAT VLOG PAUL, YOU MADE THE CORRECT MOVE. FINALLY LOL. MY SITUATION SOME WHAT SIMULAR.

Hi Paul, there is no right or wrong age to take retirement. Everyone has their number based upon their own personal circumstances, but based upon the totality of yours sounds like the most ideal time. Live your life with what you have been blessed with and be happy. We never know when the great conductor is going to punch our ticket. Imho and thanks for sharing.

Brilliant video. Spoken like a free man.

Excellent video. Thank you for sharing your experience. I agree.

I did the math. I have to live to 88 years old to benefit from retiring at 65. It was 62 for me.

I know this is an older vlog, but I wanted to say: thank you for this very wise advice!! I’ll be retiring sometime in the next 2 years. I’ll be 57 or 58. Still trying to decide exactly when. I’ll be pulling my social security at 62. My mom died at 56 and never got a chance to use any of the social security she had paid into her entire adult life. None of my grandparents lived past 76. I plan to enjoy life while I can.

Thanks for sharing your story Paul. Im 59 and asking myself what I should do. You have given some good insight.

Thanks Paul for sharing. Great analogy and now you have a much more meaningful life with Mae. Keep looking after that and enjoy those times together!

Excellent story. Makes good sense to me. I have an advisor telling me to wait till 70. WTF? 63 now with gf there in Cebu. Assets are lower but some is still there. So ready to pull the trigger. Got some thinking to do. Thanks for sharing your insights. Great to see you both very happy.

Paulio, you are describing me brother. I will be hitting it when the craziness is over. Happiness is #1.

Paul, you made the right decision. You look and sound great! Thanks for sharing.

Nice, honest and thought provoking video Paul, I enjoyed listening to your story and reasoning. What you did was definitely right for you, and I admire you for following it all up with action. Too often, our decisions are made for money reasons, and sometimes that can’t be helped, but if it’s possible to do what you really want to do instead, more of us should do it. Filipinos are the happiest and most contented people that I have ever met, and they rarely have an abundance of money. We can learn a lot from them about what is important, and what isn’t. Happy Easter and stay safe there.

You did the right thing I am thinking of staying in the Philippines someday. Thanks.

I like his honesty about the drugs

Great Video Paul , keep up the great work & I'm amazed at your great attitude .

Really good narrative and presentation Paul, keep the videos coming😀

Paul I hear you...I am giving up my life here in America and be happy with my fiance wife and live a simple life and live in happiness... Craig Goldsberry /O'Briant

Thanks for sharing your story, I knew it intimately because it was mine. Lost everything in 2010 ended up leaving Atlanta where I was a real estate broker and investor for 30 years. I returned to Youngstown Oh that I left when I was 19. Spent 5 years there reconnecting with family and returned to Atlanta in 2015 after my mother's death, re starting my real estate career. Was able to buy a house to renovate. After a trip to Thailand in 2017 my mission was clear. Sold it all and moved to Thailand in early 2018. Began receiving my social security at 62 that fall. Got off all the pills...BP cholesterol, painkillers ect. Lost 20 lbs. Thailand works for me. Why did you choose the Philippines? Great video. I could use the script with almost no editing. Happy Easter

I love the enthusiasm.❤️

For someone who lost nearly everything in the market I love your new found attitude Paul. Great to see you came though the other side of it all with a positive outlook and a new lease on life in a place you love. Not sure I could do the same if I was in your position. I think I'd have been bitter as hell! Keep on truckin' man!