We carefully adjusted our living expenses so that we could be satisfied with less income compared to our working years. It also helped that we had some control over the hours we worked and that our work involved helping people. Both of these conditions helped us enjoy our semi-retirement more.

Applying early for your Social Security benefits is doable, but the financial hit you're likely to take may make it less worth it.

Key Points You won’t be forced to claim Social Security if you don’t want benefits. Once you turn 70, there’s nothing to be gained by waiting to signing up. Understand the program’s rules so you don’t lose out on benefits.