Does retiring early reduce Social Security? The truth—how benefits are really calculated: the 35-year rule, Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME), bend points, indexing only through age 59, and why “zeros” hurt. In this episode, I break down: Why Social Security is based on your highest 35 indexed years—not your last job. How indexing stops after age 59, so skipping some early-60s work years often matters less than headlines suggest. Why zeros are the enemy—and simple ways part-time income can replace them. A clear Path A vs. Path B example (keep working vs. hang it up) to show how the impact often lands in the couple-hundred-per-month ballpark in my scenario. The crucial difference between retiring and claiming (FRA reductions vs. delayed credits). Quick checklist to get clarity: Download your earnings record at SSA.gov and fix any errors. Count your credited years—if you’re under 35, plan to replace zeros (even modest earnings help). Compare two scenarios: keep working a bit vs. retire earlier; check benefits at Full Retirement Age and at your actual claim age. Decide based on dollars and lifestyle, not fear headlines. Free resources mentioned in this episode: 🔗Click here for my free checklist 12 Must – Do Steps to Retire Sooner and Smarter.  🔗 Click here for the free MAGI Calculator Template (Microsoft Excel download). Use it to estimate your MAGI for ACA plans. 🎧Listen to these episode titles next that I mentioned in this podcast:  How to Tap Your IRA or 401(k) Early —NO IRS PENALTY! ACA MAGI: How to Calculate & Manage It for Big Savings! 💼 My Favorite Retirement Planning Tool! If you’re serious about planning for retirement, you’ve got to check out Boldin. It’s a powerful tool that helps you map out your financial future—whether you’re a DIY planner or just want to stress-test your retirement strategy. 👉 Try Boldin here: https://go.boldin.com/earlyretirementroadmap Disclosure: This is an affiliate link, which means I earn a small commission if you decide to go on the paid plan after a free 2-week trial, or you can remain on the free plan, but I highly recommend the paid plan to use all its robust features! I personally use it for my retirement planning and love it! This link doesn’t cost you anything extra and helps to support the content I create. Thank you! ❤️ Depending on the platform you're listening on, please Like, Subscribe, Follow & Share, and leave a positive review if you found this episode helpful! 📺 When you're not on the go, check out my Early Retirement Roadmap YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@EarlyRetirementRoadmap?sub_confirmation=1 🌐 Visit my website for all my media, including my blog or to contact me about sponsorship or other business opportunities: https://mikeupland.com/ ☕ Support: [Buy me a coffee](https://buymeacoffee.com/mikeupland.com) DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only and reflects my personal experience and research. It is not financial, tax, legal, or investment advice. Always consult with qualified professionals before making major retirement or financial decisions. I am not responsible for any loss or damages resulting from reliance on this information.