I went through this exact process with my husband about 8 months ago and can share our experience. We both applied online simultaneously - I was 67 and applying for retirement benefits, and he was 65 applying for spousal benefits. The process was actually much smoother than I expected! A few things that really helped us: First, we spent about a week beforehand gathering all our documents and scanning them so we'd have digital copies ready to upload. Second, we did both applications on the same day but took turns using the computer so we could help each other through any confusing parts. The key thing to know is that even though you submit at the same time, your wife's spousal benefit application will show as "pending" until yours is fully approved. Don't panic when you see that status - it's completely normal. My husband's application stayed pending for about 3 weeks until mine was approved, then his was processed within a few days after that. One tip: when you get to the section about your wife applying for benefits, make sure she's sitting right there with you because she'll need to answer some questions and digitally sign her portion. You can't complete her application for her, even as her spouse. The whole thing took us about 45 minutes each, and we avoided the office completely. Definitely worth doing online if you're comfortable with computers!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in a very similar situation - I'll be 67 next month and my wife is 66, so we're both at FRA. Reading through everyone's experiences, it sounds like applying online simultaneously is definitely the way to go. I have one specific question that I haven't seen addressed yet: For the direct deposit setup, do we each need to provide our own bank account information, or can we use the same joint account for both of our benefit payments? We've had a joint checking account for years and would prefer to have everything deposited there, but I want to make sure SSA allows that arrangement. Also, thank you to everyone who mentioned the importance of checking earnings records first - I just logged into my Social Security account and found a discrepancy from 1987 that I need to get corrected before we apply. Better to catch these things early! One more question if anyone knows: If we apply in early April for benefits to start in May, roughly how long should we expect before we see our first payments? I'm trying to plan our transition from employer health insurance to Medicare.

As someone completely new to the Social Security system, this thread has been incredibly enlightening! I'm just beginning to research the application process and had no idea about the potential pitfalls like address synchronization issues or the importance of calling at specific times. Reading @Liam Fitzgerald's journey from months of frustration to finally getting resolution really highlights how broken some aspects of the system can be, but also shows that persistence does work. The fact that a simple address update not syncing properly caused such a massive delay is honestly shocking - that seems like such a basic function that should work seamlessly. I'm definitely going to remember the 8am calling strategy and will be extra careful to verify my address is updated across all their systems when I apply. Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences here - this practical advice is so much more valuable than anything I've found on official websites!

As someone who's also new to navigating the Social Security system, this entire thread has been incredibly educational! I'm still in the early research phase myself, but reading through everyone's real-world experiences gives such valuable insight into what to actually expect. @Liam Fitzgerald, congratulations on finally getting your issue resolved! Your persistence really paid off, and I'm so glad you updated us with the solution. The address synchronization problem you encountered is eye-opening - I never would have thought that updating your address online wouldn't automatically sync across all their systems. That seems like such a fundamental issue that should have been fixed years ago! I'm definitely adding "verify address updates in all SSA systems" to my pre-application checklist. The consistent advice about calling at 8am seems to be the golden strategy here, and I really appreciate everyone sharing these practical tips. It's both encouraging and frustrating to see that persistence works, but that it requires so much effort just to get basic information about your own application. Thanks to everyone who contributed their experiences and advice - this kind of real-world insight is infinitely more helpful than the generic information on official websites!

I see you're getting great advice here! As someone who just navigated this decision myself, I wanted to add that you might also want to check if your state has any emergency home repair assistance programs for seniors. Many states offer low-interest loans or even grants for urgent home repairs, especially for safety issues like electrical, plumbing, or structural problems. Also, if you do decide to go the backdating route, make sure to ask SSA about any potential impact on your taxes - that lump sum could push you into a higher tax bracket for 2025 if you receive it in January. You might want to consult with a tax professional to see if there are any strategies to minimize the tax hit, like spreading certain deductions or considering estimated tax payments. The online application really is the way to go though - I tried calling first and gave up after being on hold for over 2 hours. The online system walks you through everything step by step, and you can save your progress if you need to gather documents. Just have your most recent tax return handy when you apply!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who recently went through this process - one thing that really helped me was creating a simple spreadsheet to compare all my options side by side. I calculated the total financial impact over 5, 10, and 20 years for backdating vs. not backdating, factoring in the monthly difference. I also got quotes from three different lenders for home equity lines and personal loans, plus researched my state's emergency repair programs (found two I qualified for!). The visual comparison made it crystal clear which option made the most sense for my situation. In my case, I ended up going with a small HELOC at 7.2% interest rather than backdating - even with interest payments, I came out ahead financially over the long term while keeping my full age-70 benefits intact. Whatever you decide, don't rush it! Take the time to run the numbers properly. Your future self will thank you for making an informed decision rather than an urgent one. And definitely talk to that tax professional before filing - the tax implications can be significant depending on your other income sources.

As a newcomer to this community, I want to thank everyone for this incredibly detailed and helpful discussion! I'm not currently facing this exact situation, but as someone who's recently started thinking seriously about retirement planning, this thread has been an eye-opening education in how complex Social Security rules can be. What really impresses me is how the community has provided both practical advice (like using Claimyr to reach SSA representatives) and emotional support for such a difficult decision. The original poster's dilemma really highlights how these benefit rules can force people to choose between financial security and personal happiness - something that seems particularly unfair for people who've already contributed to the system for decades. I'm taking notes on all the key points raised here: the importance of getting exact benefit calculations from SSA, considering Medicare and tax implications, having comprehensive financial discussions with partners, and potentially consulting with retirement-focused financial planners. This seems like essential information for anyone navigating these systems. For those facing similar decisions, it's clear that there's no one-size-fits-all answer, but having all the facts and professional guidance can help ensure you make the choice that's right for your specific situation. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and expertise - this is exactly the kind of community support that makes these challenging decisions more manageable!

As a new member of this community, I want to thank everyone for this incredibly thorough and educational discussion! Reading through all the responses has been so enlightening about the complexities of Social Security benefits and remarriage. What really strikes me is how this thread demonstrates the importance of getting personalized, professional advice rather than making assumptions. The recommendation to use Claimyr to actually speak with SSA representatives seems invaluable - I had no idea such services existed to help navigate the notoriously difficult SSA phone system. I'm also impressed by how the discussion has evolved to cover not just the immediate Social Security impact, but all the related considerations like Medicare implications, tax consequences, and overall retirement planning. It really reinforces that these decisions can't be made in isolation. For anyone facing similar situations, it seems like the key takeaways are: get exact numbers from SSA, have comprehensive financial discussions with your partner, consider professional retirement planning advice, and factor in both financial and non-financial aspects of marriage. To the original poster - I hope you and your fiancé were able to work through all the numbers and make a decision that brings you both happiness and financial security. This community's support and knowledge sharing is truly remarkable!

I actually went through this exact process about 18 months ago and can share some real-world timing details that might help you both plan better. For retirement benefits timing: I applied in early October for a December birthday, and my first payment came in mid-January (about 3 months total). The processing took about 6 weeks, but then there's the standard delay where they pay benefits the month after they're earned. So if your benefits start in January, your first payment comes in February. For the SSDI transition: I got approved for disability about 8 months after starting retirement benefits, and the transition was mostly smooth but not completely automatic. I had to call SSA twice to make sure they processed the benefit conversion correctly. The first representative didn't seem to understand dual entitlement, but the second one (a Technical Expert, thanks to the tip from the former SSA manager!) handled it perfectly. The backpay calculation was complex but fair - they paid me the difference between my reduced retirement amount and the full SSDI amount going back to my established onset date. That created a nice lump sum, but it did take about 6 weeks to receive after my SSDI approval. One tip: set up automatic deposit if you haven't already. It makes the transition between retirement and SSDI payments much smoother since they can adjust the deposit amounts without having to issue new checks. Both of you are making smart decisions. The financial security of having something coming in while fighting for full SSDI benefits is worth so much more than the stress of having zero income during the wait.

I'm a disability advocate who works with clients navigating exactly this situation, and I wanted to add a few points that might help you feel even more confident about your decision. First, the strategy you're considering is not only legitimate but often recommended by disability attorneys and advocates. We frequently advise clients who are approaching 62 to pursue early retirement while their SSDI cases are pending, especially when financial resources are running low. One thing I always tell my clients: document everything related to both applications. Keep a file with copies of all forms, confirmation numbers, dates of phone calls, and names of representatives you speak with. This becomes invaluable if any coordination issues arise between the two benefit systems. Also, when you do get that first retirement payment, resist any temptation to change your lifestyle significantly. Remember, if your SSDI gets approved, you'll receive a substantial backpay amount, but until then, treat the reduced retirement benefit as temporary income to cover basic needs. I'd also suggest asking your disability attorney if they have experience with dual entitlement cases. Not all disability lawyers are familiar with the retirement/SSDI coordination process, and having an attorney who understands both systems can be helpful if any complications arise. Finally, don't let anyone - family, friends, or even some SSA representatives - make you feel like you're "double-dipping" or doing something improper. You've earned both benefits through your work history, and using them strategically while pursuing the full benefits you deserve is exactly how the system is designed to work. You're making a smart, well-informed decision during a difficult time. The peace of mind that comes with having some income while your SSDI case progresses is worth far more than the temporary reduction in benefits.