Financial birthdays to be aware of.

The older that people get, the less they like to think about--let alone celebrate--birthdays. However, there are several important financial birthdays older Americans shouldn't overlook, suggests the Institute of Certified Financial Planners, Denver, Colo.

Age 50. The earliest a spouse can collect a survivor's retirement benefits from Social Security--but only if he or she is disabled.

Age 59 1/2. You can begin making withdrawals from any retirement plan or IRA without the 10% early withdrawal penalty (assessed against any money you pull out and don't roll over into another retirement account or IRA). The withdrawn money faces income taxes.

Age 60. The earliest a spouse can collect survivor's benefits from Social Security (unless disabled). They will be reduced to 71.5% of the full benefits the deceased would have been entitled to at the full retirement age (65-67), though. If you remarry before age 60, you permanently lose survivor benefits. If you do so at age 60 or later, you can collect as long as you are not claiming benefits as a current spouse.

Age 62. The earliest you can begin collecting your own Social Security benefits or your share (50%) of the amount being received or eligible to be received by a living or former spouse. These benefits will be reduced permanently by up to 20% from what you or your spouse would be entitled to at full retirement. It is also the minimum age you can get an FHA reverse mortgage, wherein you...