Any financial guru's here?

[arewethereyet]

I would suggest that after you find out from the bank exactly what you have, take that information to a financial advisor.  Not someone at the bank.  The bank makes its money by using your money till you withdraw it so it's in their best interest to tell you to leave it with them

You should be able to Google financial advisors in your area and look at their reviews.  It may cost you a few bucks but it could be well-spent to have the right guidance with making what you have stretch and also discussing any tax ramifications in what you do with what you have.

Also, go on the Social Security site to see what your benefits will be and at what age - it's probably a lot less than you think.  Even having decades at a well-paying job doesn't mean you can live decently on SS benefits alone.

Good advice, and I agree. My mom had the well paying middle class job, not me. I struggled my entire life with minimum wage jobs. I know my SS won't be close to what she got. But trust me, when you go through your life poor, you learn to live off of it. My mom bailed me out, sure. But she never would let me take advantage of her, or drain her. 

I figure if I can stretch this out to SS, I can make SS work. 

My only worry is the GOP who wants to fuck everyone over on SS, not just me.

I am slightly worried sure. But I do know this. I don't give a fuck what class you get old in, middle, rich or poor, nobody should have to work, if they don't want to, from cradle to grave. I don't give a fuck if you spent your life working as a janitor, or fry cook, or garbage collector. If you do a honest job, for 20-30 years, you should be able to retire with dignity.

I am lucky. I have a buffer, although I don't know how long it will last. But if we leave it to billionaires, anyone not filthy rich, are scum for not moving up.

I decided to draw SS at the earliest age.  But I can also earn a certain amount and not lose any of it.  With health issues and the threat of SS going away completely it's worth it for me.  Now I am gone 5 hours a day (including the drive) instead of 11-13 hours a day and make the same amount of $.  I have been poor - I can stretch a buck but have also learned over the years that I simply need less (a lot of my old needs were really wants) and shopping has never been a hobby for me.

Your finances are really worth professional advice.