“In 2010, 75% of the 34.5 million retired workers elected to receive a reduced benefit prior to their full retirement age (FRA). Relatively more women (76.4%) than men (71.4%) received a reduced benefit.”
(Source: SSA Annual Supplemental)

A person receives 75% of their Full Retirement Age (FRA) benefit if they begin benefits early at age 62. If they delay benefits to age 70, they then receive 132% of their FRA benefit.

Married couples have a couple of claiming options that you might not have known about including File and Suspend, Claim Now, Claim More Later and Two High Earners strategies.

One of Darrell's clients, Lynn Schertz, participated with his church on a mission trip to Ghana earlier this year.

Here is a small excerpt from Lynn's mission report: “Myself, our senior pastor and children's pastor hosted a Christian worker's conference attended by about 100 people.  We distributed 30 study Bibles as well as other Bibles and literature, gave seminars, and our pastor led 2 revival services attended by over 200 people each night from the small village where the conference was held.  We also took 250 pairs of reading glasses with us as many of the people have poor vision due to poor nutrition. We made many new friends and hope to continue our relationship with these people in Ghana."  

If you are on Facebook, you can go to www.facebook.com/twopenniesministry to see the latest video of the latest trip.

More information can be found at www.twopenniesministry.com.

If you are looking for a quick and easy way to get some good exercise once a day, then we would recommend trying this free computer application download.

Based on 'The Scientific 7-Minute Workout' routine posted in the American College of Sports Medicine's Health & Fitness Journal and highlighted by The New York Times it features 12 exercises deploying only body weight, a wall and a chair.

It especially makes sense for you if you have a smart phone as you can download the application on to your phone and use it almost anywhere you are with your phone.

Here is one of Dave's favorite recipes for Goom Bars that are sure to be a hit at any party are super simple to make.

Goom Bars

Ingredients:

• 1 box of German Chocolate Cake mix

• 1 egg

• 1 cup of butter or margarine

• 14 oz bag of caramel

• ½ cup evaporated milk

• chocolate chips

• nuts (optional)

Preparation:Mix cake mix, egg, and ½ cup of melted butter together in bowl. Press all but 1 ½ c. of mix into bottom of a greased 9 x 12 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or browned. Cool.Melt over stove top caramels, ½ cup butter, and evaporated milk. Pour caramel mixture over top of browned bottom layer of cake mix. Drop remaining cake mix (1 ½ cups) over caramel layer and bake for additional 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees.Optional: Chocolate chips or nuts can be added into caramel layer or on top

Dave's family recently started volunteering at the Humane Society of Illinois this year. It has been a great experience! If you want to know more about how you can get involved, visit The Humane Society of Illinois and see what volunteer opportunities are available.