I'm going through the exact same situation right now! Just submitted my retirement application online last week and had that immediate panic when I realized there was no document upload section. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been such a huge relief - it's amazing how many of us go through this same worry! The explanation about SSA already having our birth information from when we originally got our Social Security cards decades ago makes perfect sense, but I never would have thought of it that way. Like you, I applied about 3 months before my target benefit start date, so hearing from multiple people that this timing provides a good safety net is really reassuring. It's funny how something as simple as not being able to upload documents can make you feel like you've messed up the entire application! But clearly this is just how their system is designed to work. I'll definitely be watching my mail for that acknowledgment letter and trying to be patient instead of second-guessing myself. Thanks for asking this question - you've helped calm the nerves of a lot of us first-time applicants!

I'm so relieved to find this thread! I literally just went through this exact same panic yesterday when I submitted my retirement application online. Like everyone else, I kept looking for some upload button or document submission section and couldn't find anything. I was convinced I had somehow skipped a crucial step or that the application was incomplete. Reading through all these experiences has been incredibly reassuring - it's clear that SSA's system is actually designed to work this way on purpose. The explanation about them already having our birth information from when we originally got our Social Security cards decades ago makes complete sense, but I never would have thought of it that way without this community's help. I applied about 10 weeks before I want my benefits to start, so hearing from so many people that this timing provides plenty of buffer for any potential document requests really eases my mind. It's amazing how many of us go through this same worry - you'd think SSA would add some kind of explanation on the confirmation page to prevent all this anxiety! I'll definitely be watching my mail for the acknowledgment letter and keeping my birth certificate handy just in case, but feeling much more confident now that I understand how the process actually works. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is such a valuable resource for navigating these big life transitions!

I've been reading through this incredibly helpful thread as someone who's also navigating SSDI and creative work. The wealth of real-world experience shared here is amazing! One thing I wanted to add that might help NeonNova and others - consider reaching out to your local Independent Living Center (ILC). Many ILCs have benefits counselors who specialize in work incentives and can provide free one-on-one guidance. They often have more time to spend with you than busy WIPA counselors and can help coordinate between different services. Also, for your gallery situation specifically - you might want to ask the gallery if they're familiar with any other artists who receive disability benefits. Galleries in arts communities often work with artists who have various accommodation needs, and they may have encountered this situation before. Some galleries are surprisingly knowledgeable about payment structuring options. The therapeutic documentation suggestions from Dmitry are spot-on. I'd add that if you have an occupational therapist or any other specialists involved in your care, they might also be able to document how art practice addresses specific functional goals related to your condition. It's clear you're approaching this very thoughtfully, and with all the excellent guidance in this thread plus proper professional counseling, you should be able to find a path forward. The art world needs more artists who understand these systems - you could end up helping other artists in similar situations down the road!

I'm a newcomer here but have been on SSDI for 2 years and just starting to consider selling some of my pottery. Reading through all this advice has been incredibly eye-opening! I had no idea there were so many work incentives and protections available. @NeonNova - your situation with the $8K gallery piece sounds both exciting and nerve-wracking. The advice everyone's given about WIPA counselors, documenting expenses, and getting medical providers to formally note the therapeutic value of your art seems like a solid roadmap. One question I have after reading all this - does anyone know if there's a difference in how SSA treats established artists (like someone with gallery representation) versus people just starting to sell their work? I'm wondering if having a more "professional" art practice changes how they evaluate substantial gainful activity versus someone just selling pieces occasionally at craft fairs. Also, the point about state-level considerations that Melina mentioned really caught my attention. I'm in a state with no income tax, but I hadn't thought about sales tax implications for art sales. Definitely something I need to research before I start selling anything. Thank you to everyone who's shared their experiences - this thread is like a masterclass in navigating SSDI and creative work!

I'm also considering early retirement and this discussion has been incredibly valuable! One aspect I haven't seen mentioned is what happens to any automatic deposits or direct deposit arrangements during the withdrawal process. When you submit Form SSA-521 and they stop your benefits, do they automatically reverse any pending deposits, or do you need to coordinate with your bank separately? Also, for those who've been through this - did SSA provide a clear timeline for when they need the full repayment after your withdrawal is approved? I'm trying to understand if there's flexibility in the repayment timing or if it needs to happen immediately upon approval. The financial planning aspect of having that lump sum ready at the right time seems just as important as making the withdrawal decision itself.

As someone who's been following Social Security policy changes closely, I wanted to add that it's worth double-checking the current processing times with SSA before you submit your withdrawal. I've heard anecdotally that processing times have been longer recently due to staffing issues at some field offices. When you call to discuss your withdrawal, ask specifically about current processing timelines in your region. Also, make sure to keep detailed records of all your communications with SSA throughout this process - dates, representative names, reference numbers, etc. This documentation can be invaluable if there are any delays or complications. Given that you're well within the 12-month window with 8 months remaining, you have the luxury of being thorough rather than rushed. The financial benefit of waiting until 67 is substantial enough that it's worth taking the time to do this withdrawal process correctly the first time.

I'm a newcomer here but have been researching this exact topic for my own situation. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you might want to review your earnings record before the conversion happens. Since SSDI benefits are calculated based on your work history up to when you became disabled, and retirement benefits use your highest 35 years of earnings, there could be rare cases where continuing to work part-time (under SGA limits) before FRA might slightly increase your eventual retirement benefit calculation. It's probably not a big difference for most people, but worth checking your earnings record on ssa.gov to see if you have any zero-earning years that could potentially be replaced. Just another small detail to consider, though the automatic conversion process itself is exactly as everyone described - completely hands-off!

As a newcomer to this community, I want to thank everyone for this incredibly thorough discussion! I'm in a similar situation - currently 64 and on SSDI for the past 5 years. Reading through all these responses has been so reassuring, especially hearing from people who have actually gone through the conversion process. I was getting really anxious about what would happen when I reach my FRA, but now I understand it's truly automatic and seamless. The tip about setting up a my Social Security account online is great - I'm going to do that this week so I can monitor everything leading up to my conversion. It's amazing how this community can provide clearer answers than multiple failed phone calls to SSA! Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and knowledge.

As someone who just went through this decision process myself, I wanted to add a practical perspective. I was in a very similar situation - 62 and needing income while my husband was 57 and still working. One thing that really helped me was creating a spreadsheet comparing different scenarios over 10, 15, and 20 years. I looked at: - Taking my reduced benefit immediately vs waiting - Total lifetime benefits under different longevity assumptions - The impact on our overall retirement cash flow What I found was that the "break-even" point for waiting vs claiming early was around age 78-80 in my case. Since I'm in good health and both my parents lived into their 90s, waiting made more sense for us. However, the cash flow aspect was important too. We ended up using a combination of savings and a small part-time job to bridge the gap until I reached FRA. It wasn't ideal, but the long-term benefit increase was worth it for our situation. One resource that really helped was the Social Security Administration's online benefit calculators. You can run different claiming scenarios to see the actual dollar amounts for your specific situation rather than trying to guess.

I'm in a somewhat similar situation - I'm 64 and my husband is 60, so I've been researching this extensively. One thing I learned that might help you is to look at your Social Security statement online to see your estimated benefits at different claiming ages. What really opened my eyes was understanding that if you claim your own benefit early and then later become eligible for spousal benefits, you don't just "switch over" to the spousal amount. Instead, Social Security pays you the higher of: (1) your own reduced benefit, or (2) your own reduced benefit PLUS the difference needed to reach your reduced spousal benefit amount. The key word here is "reduced" - if you claim early, both your own benefit and any spousal benefit get reduced permanently. So in your case, if you take your $950 now and your husband's PIA ends up being $3,000, you wouldn't necessarily get $1,500 as a spousal benefit later. The spousal amount would also be reduced based on your age when you first claimed. I'd suggest calling SSA and asking them to walk through a few "what if" scenarios with your actual numbers. Despite what others have said about inconsistent information, I found that if you ask very specific questions about your own record, they can give you the exact dollar amounts for different claiming strategies.