retiring early

In May, the Urban Institute reported that the number of eligible Americans taking early Social Security benefits had hit a 35-year low. But the recession and protracted high unemployment have left some older adults"”such as 62-year-old Clare Keany"”forced to take benefits earlier than planned.

A new study from MetLife finds that, contrary to predictions, older Americans are retiring. In fact, more than 60 percent of 65-year-olds"”the leading edge of the boomer generation"”are already collecting Social Security.

Posted today in USA Today's Opinion section was an op-ed by AARP's John Rother on insurance companies engaging in age discrimination by charging higher premiums to seniors than they charge younger consumers.