Mountain View News Saturday, January 3, 2026 
99 
Mountain View News Saturday, January 3, 2026 
99 
WELCOMING THE NEW YEAR: 
A TIME FOR REFLECTION AND 
RENEWAL 

As a new year gently unfolds before us, it offers a 
meaningful pause—a moment to reflect on where 
we have been and to look ahead with quiet hope. 
For seniors especially, the New Year is less about 
rushing toward change and more about appreciating 
the richness of experience, wisdom, and resilience 
built over time. 

Each year we carry forward memories: family 
gatherings, friendships old and new, lessons 
learned through both joy and challenge. These 
moments shape who we are, and the New Year invites 
us to honor them. Reflection can be as simple 
as flipping through photo albums, journalinga few favorite memories, or sharing stories with 
loved ones. These small acts help remind us that 
our lives are full of meaning and connection. 


The New Year is also an opportunity for gentle renewal. Resolutions do not have to be grand or demanding. 
Simple intentions—taking daily walks, calling a friend more often, trying a new hobby, or 
practicing gratitude—can bring renewed energy and purpose. Even small changes can create a sense 
of accomplishment and well-being. 

Most importantly, the New Year encourages connection. Reaching out to family, neighbors, or community 
groups helps strengthen bonds and reduce loneliness. A kind word, a shared laugh, or a 
thoughtful note can make a powerful difference, both for ourselves and others. 

As we step into the year ahead, let us do so with kindness toward ourselves. Every chapter of life has 
value, and this one is no exception. May the New Year bring comfort, good health, meaningful moments, 
and the reassurance that every day offers something worth appreciating. 

Here’s to a year filled with warmth, reflection, and quiet joys—one day at a time. 

WHEN DO MOST AMERICANS TAKE SOCIAL 
SECURITY 

What are the most popular ages that 
people start taking their Social Security 
retirement benefits? I’m turning 62 later 
this year and trying to decide when to 
start taking my benefits.
Born in 64 

Dear 64: 


You can sign up to begin your Social Security retirement benefits any time after age 62. However, 
your monthly payments will be larger for each month you delay claiming them up until 
age 70. This adds up to around 6 to 8 percent higher payments every year you delay. 

To get a breakdown on exactly how much your claiming age affects your benefits, visit Social 
Security’s Retirement Age Calculator at SSA.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/ageincrease.
html. This tool provides your full retirement age (FRA) – which is 67 for anyone born in 1960 
or later – and shows how much your benefits will be reduced by taking early payments or increased 
by delaying them. 

In the meantime, here’s a rundown of when people start receiving retirement benefits (according 
to the most recent SSA statistical data), and how signing up at each age impacts your 
payout. 

Age 62: This is the earliest possible age you can sign up for Social Security. According to the 
SSA, in 2024, 23.3 percent of women and 22 percent of men signed up for Social Security at 

62. But if you sign up at this age, you’ll get a 30 percent smaller Social Security payment if your 
FRA is 67. 
Age 63: Age 63 is one of the least popular options for choosing to start Social Security benefits 

– 6.2 percent of men and 6.4 percent of women began claiming their benefits at this age in 
2024. A worker with a FRA of 67 will get a 25 percent pay cut by signing up at this age. 
Age 64: This is another relatively unpopular age to begin collecting Social Security benefits 

– just 6.5 percent of men and 7 percent of women started collecting at age 64. Social Security 
payments are reduced by 20 percent for those with a FRA of 67. 
Age 65: In 2024, 15.3 percent of men and women decided to collect Social Security at age 65, 
which is also the enrollment age for Medicare. By starting at this age, you’ll see you monthly 
payments reduced by 13.3 percent if your FRA is 67. 

Age 66: This is FRA for people born between 1943 and 1954, which has made this a very 
popular age to begin collecting. In 2024, 27 percent of men and 25.3 percent of women sign upfor benefits at 66. But since your FRA is 67, you’ll get a 6.7 percent pay cut if you sign up here. 

Age 67: People born in 1960 or later will be able to claim unreduced Social Security payments 
starting at this age. In 2024, 14.5 percent of men and 13 percent of women did this. 

Age 68: In 2024, 12.5 percent of men and 12.3 percent of women delayed their Social Securitybenefits until age 68. Waiting one extra year beyond your FRA of 67 will increase your benefit 
by 8 percent. 

Age 69: In 2024, 14.5 percent of men and 13.2 percent of women claimed their retirement 
benefits at 69, which increased their benefits by 16 percent. 

Age 70 and older: Waiting to age 70 offers the biggest possible payout – a 24 percent increase 
over your FRA of 67. In 2024, 8.4 percent of women and 9.1 percent of men held out until this 
age. 

Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 
5443, Norman, OK 73070. 


SENIOR HAPPENINGS 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …JANUARY BIRTHDAYS* 


Gerald Day, Mary Tassop, Judy Webb-Martin, John Johnson,
Mary Bickel, Marlene Enmark, Shirley Wolf, Ross Kellock, Ruth 
Wolter, Sandy Thistlewaite, Bobbi Rahmanian, Fran Syverson, 
Joy Painter, Judy Zaretzka and Becky Evans. * To add your name 
to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 626.355.2737. YEAR of 
birth not required 


It was New Year's Day, and I got up before The Gracious Mistress 
of the Parsonage. I poured my coffee and then sat in my 
easy chair to reflect on the day. I was trying to get all the thingsin order I was planning to do today. After all, the Christmas 

holiday was over, and I needed to get back in the saddle again. 

As I was thinking about my plans, a thought bumped into my mind. I don't have 
too many thoughts, but once in a while, one comes my way and hits me, and I'm 
not sure what to do about it. 

The thought was simply this: today begins a brand-new year. I had given this too 
much thought recently, but last year is over. Today starts a brand new year.
What in the world happened to last year? And, where did it go? 

I was getting accustomed to the year at hand and was finally writing 2025 on my 
checks. For most of the year, I wrote 2024. Now, a new year lay before me, and I 
wasn't sure what I should do. 

Just then, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage came into the living room, 
greeted me good morning and then said, "What are you thinking about today?"
I looked at her and said rather soberly, "Do you know today begins a brand-new 
year?" "What," she said, "happen to the year we are living? I was just gettingadjusted to that year." 

She went and got a cup of coffee, then came and sat down, just staring at it. I 
knew exactly what she was thinking because I was thinking the same way. What 
happened over the last year? 

One of the problems I have is this: Did I accomplish everything I wanted to accomplish 
last year? I'm not the kind of person who puts together a detailed New 
Year's resolution list. I used to, but I never could finish it, and some of the things 
on that list took me five years to accomplish. 

I sat there quietly, thinking back over the past year trying to figure out what I really 
accomplished. After all, I've been retired for about four years so I have time.
Sitting in my chair with The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, I thought back 
over the year and tried to identify what I did. Was I busy? Did I do what I had 
planned to do? Looking at The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, I said, "What 
do you think about last year?" 

The living room was relatively quiet for a few moments, and then she spoke up 
and said, "I really don't know what I did during the past year. I've been so busydoing things that I can't remember all the things that I did." Then, looking at me, 
she said, "what about your year?" 

Last year had 365 days, and for the life of me, the only day I can think of is mybirthday. Thinking about my birthday, I was trying to remember what I did that 
day. Looking at The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage I said, "Do you remember 
my birthday?" "Oh, yes I do. It was a wonderful time don't you think?" 

Not knowing exactly what she was talking about, I tried to find out more. I said, 
"What was the best part of my birthday last year?" 

I wasn't expecting what she came up with, but she did. 

"I think the best time about your birthday was the wonderful present I got you. 
How did you like that present?" 

I don't know whether she knew what was happening or was trying to trick me. 
I thought, and I thought some more, but I couldn't come up with what she got 
me for my birthday. 

"That was a wonderful present you got me. I appreciate it so much. Thank you 
for that gift." 

I sighed very deeply, believing that I had ducked a bullet. 

Looking at me with one of her infamous smiles, she said, "I spent a lot of time 
trying to think of that birthday gift for you. What was the best part of that gift?"
Of course, now I am in real deep water. I can't remember that birthday present. 
After all, that was six months ago, and I'm not sure what happened this past 
week. I gave it some thought and tried to remember, but nothing actually came 
to mind. That's the thing about getting older: you forget things you should remember, 
and remember things you should forget. 

I didn't know what to say, so I said, "The best thing about that birthday present 
was your thoughtfulness in getting me such a wonderful present. I will always 
appreciate you for getting me that present." She smiled at me, and at least it 
worked this time. Or so I thought. 

When a year passes by, it's not too good to reflect on the past. The best thing is 
to appreciate the past, but then put the focus on the present.
This time of the year, my favorite Bible verse is Ecclesiastes 1:8, “The thing that 
hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be 
done: and there is no new thing under the sun.” We think something is new, and 
it may be new to us at the time, but there is nothing new under the sun. 

Dr. James L. Snyder lives in Ocala, FL with the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. 
Telephone 1-352-216-3025, e-mail jamessnyder51@gmail.com, website 
www.jamessnyderministries.com. 

Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 

OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder 

WHERE IN THE WORLD DID LAST 
YEAR GO? 

626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com