The reduction is not that bad--I took it 63 and kept working, and they don't take away any of your social security until you hit the earnings level--for this year it is 22,320, and then for each 2 dollar you earn over that they take away 1 dollar in benefits, although you get them back at the end. Plus, if he years where he earned zero, they will replace those years with what he earned, meaning his social security will go up a little each year he works. Not much--mine went up something like 15-20 dollars a month. But it all helps.