10 Really Good Reasons to File for Social Security at Age 62

10 Really Good Reasons to File for Social Security at Age 62

Author: James Conole, CFP® September 5, 2026 Duration: 16:45
Two people, same age, same savings, same expenses. One files for Social Security at 62. The other waits until 70. Everyone knows the one who waits gets a bigger check. Almost nobody looks at what's happening to the other person's money while they wait. Here are 10 reasons the person who files at 62 might actually come out ahead, plus one thing that makes this decision far less permanent than you've been told. We're going to cover: - why the break-even calculator everyone gets handed (the ...

Charting a path toward retirement often feels like navigating without a map, filled with complex terms and a fear of making the wrong move. Ready For Retirement, hosted by certified financial planner James Conole, aims to replace that uncertainty with clarity and actionable insight. Each episode breaks down a specific aspect of financial planning, from investment fundamentals and tax strategies to navigating healthcare costs and defining what a secure future actually looks like for you. James draws on his professional experience to translate daunting concepts into practical steps, avoiding generic advice in favor of discussions that address real-life complexities and questions. Tuning into this podcast feels like having a straightforward conversation with a knowledgeable guide who prioritizes your long-term peace of mind over financial industry jargon. The focus is consistently on building not just a portfolio, but confidence in your decisions, empowering you to move from feeling overwhelmed to feeling prepared. Whether you're decades away from retirement or it's on the near horizon, these conversations provide a steadying framework for making informed choices about your money and your life.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

Ready For Retirement
Podcast Episodes
Why $5 Million is the Tax "Danger Zone" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:42
Once your portfolio crosses $5 million, the game changes. Growing your money is no longer the hard part... protecting it is. Tax mistakes that used to feel like small inefficiencies can quietly turn into six-figure probl…
Work at SpaceX? Watch This Before your IPO [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:53
If you work at SpaceX, you’re likely holding one of the most valuable (and complicated) assets in the world. With a potential IPO on the horizon, the decisions you make with your SpaceX stock, RSUs, and equity compensati…
You Need to Retire Early - Here's Why [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:09
There’s really only one way to reach the level of success most people say they want, and it’s not about working until 65. It’s about having a plan to retire early. Not as a finish line, but as a mindset. Early retirement…
You Can Retire… But You Might Not Like the Life You Built [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:12
Many people retire with enough money — and still feel lost. James explains why financial readiness alone doesn’t guarantee a fulfilling retirement, and why some of the most financially prepared retirees struggle once wor…
I’ve Never Seen So Many Retirees Make This Same Mistake [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:39
Most retirees who make this mistake aren’t reckless. They’re careful. They’re doing what they believe is responsible, and that’s what makes it so painful to see when it backfires. James explains why the same portfolio mi…
This Is What a $10M Retirement Actually Looks Like [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:48
A $10 million retirement is often imagined as the finish line — complete freedom, unlimited spending, and no financial stress. The reality is more complex. James walks through what an eight-figure retirement actually loo…
Retiring After 65? The Rules Change (Hint: You Can Spend More) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:00
Retiring after age 65 changes the math and the priorities. You have fewer high-energy years, shorter tax planning windows, and RMDs much closer than most people realize. But you also often have higher Social Security, cl…
Here's the Most Unethical Thing Advisors Do [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:05
Some of the most damaging financial advice doesn’t look shady at all. It looks responsible. It looks optimized. And it looks great on a spreadsheet. This episode breaks down one of the most unethical practices James sees…