When should you take Social Security?

• Life expectancy – For all of us, it's one of life's great mysteries: How long will we live? Of course, we can't see into the future, so the question can't be answered with total confidence. But to make an informed decision on when to take Social Security, you don't need to know your exact lifespan — you just need to make a reasonably good estimate. So, for example, if you're approaching 62, you're enjoying excellent health and you have a family history of longevity, you might conclude it's worth waiting a few years to collect Social Security, so you can receive the bigger payments. Conversely, if your health is questionable and your family has not been fortunate in terms of longevity, you might want to start taking your benefits earlier.
• Employment – You can certainly continue working and still receive Social Security benefits. However, if you're under your full retirement age for the entire year, Social Security will deduct $1 from your benefits for every $2 you earn above the annual limit of $22,320. In the year you reach your full retirement age, Social Security will deduct $1 in benefits for every $3 you earn above $59,520. So, you may want to keep these reductions in mind when deciding when to begin accepting benefits. Once you reach your full retirement age, you can earn any amount without losing benefits. (Also, at your full retirement age, Social Security will recalculate your benefit amount to credit you for the months you received reduced benefits because of your excess earnings.)
• Spouse – Spouses can receive two types of Social Security benefits: spousal and survivor. With a spousal benefit, your spouse can receive up to 50 percent of your full retirement benefits, regardless of when you start taking them. (Your spouse's benefit can be reduced by the amount of their own retirement benefit and whether they took Social Security before their full retirement age.) But with a survivor benefit, your decision about when to take Social Security can make a big difference. A surviving spouse can receive the larger of their own benefit or 100 percent of a deceased spouse's benefit, so if you take benefits early and receive a permanent reduction, your spouse's survivor benefit may also be reduced for their lifetime.

North Adams Schools Say Goodbye to Alcombright, Await His Replace

By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff
05:49AM / Wednesday, January 07, 2026

Richard Alcmbright, former mayor, encouraged citizens to get involved rather than sitting on the sidelines criticizing.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The School Committee bid adieu to Richard Alcombright for a second time on Tuesday. 

 

The former mayor was presented with a clock in 2017 upon the completion of his fourth term as chair of the committee; on Tuesday, he received another clock marking his four years as a member of the committee. 

 

"I have 49 years of aggregate elected services," said Alcombright. "My point is this, that I would not have done it if I didn't love it. The rewards of public service far outweigh any resulting things that might come with any positions."

 

He said he chose not run because it was time for new voices and ideas,  and for others who call the city home to step up. He was disappointed by the last election cycle because of its anger and vitriol, and critics hiding behind keyboards. 

 

"Many uninformed or ill-informed people sitting on the sidelines criticizing those who try so hard to move our community forward, trying to make those who do the work, all of you, feel less than," Alcombright said. 

 

"There is nothing more harmful than when we make someone feel less than ...we need to set a higher standard, our own well-intended standard for political interaction."

 

His civic service is lengthy — McCann School Committee member; as chair or member of social service, health care and substance abuse committees — as well as his terms as mayor, city councilor and School Committee member. He's served through five different superintendents and with numerous