Ready1 Absolutely for sure, you want to have your 40 credits of SS on the books. I retired at 53 under VERA, took a few months off, and then got the remaining 11 credits that I needed to be eligible for SS when I turn 62. It's easy to get the credits, $1090. equals 1 credit for this year. You can get no more than 4 credits each year, and can do this working part-time. You will be subject to the Windfall Elimination Provision, NOT the GPO. Go to www.ssa.gov for more info. Now, my SS yearly statements show the amount I would get at 62, but I have to figure on only about 40% of that amount, because of the WEP.