Just wanted to add my experience as someone who works in benefits administration (though not SSA). When you file for your retirement benefits, make sure to explicitly ask the representative to review which parent's record would be more advantageous for your children. Don't assume they'll automatically check this - you need to specifically request it. Also, bring a copy of your wife's award letter showing her current benefit amount and the kids' auxiliary amounts. This will help the SSA worker calculate the comparison more quickly. One last tip: if you're filing online, there should be a section asking about dependents - make sure to indicate that your children are already receiving benefits on another record so the system flags this for manual review.

I went through this exact situation two years ago! My kids were getting benefits on my record when I retired early at 62, but when my husband filed at his full retirement age, his benefit was substantially higher. The switch was definitely possible, but here's what I learned: 1) You MUST specifically request the comparison when your husband files - it's not automatic, 2) Bring documentation of the current benefits the kids are receiving, 3) The processing took about 6-8 weeks in our case, but the kids continued getting their original benefits during the transition with no gap. The key thing that helped us was calling ahead to the SSA office and explaining the situation when we scheduled the appointment. They were able to have someone there who was familiar with these types of switches. Also, don't be surprised if you get different answers from different representatives - we had to speak with a supervisor to get consistent information. Good luck with your application next month!

I'm new to this community but have been lurking and learning so much from everyone's experiences! My family is in a very similar situation - my 28-year-old son has autism and has been on SSI since he turned 18. My husband just turned 65 and we're trying to figure out the optimal claiming strategy. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly enlightening. I had no idea about the family maximum benefit rule or the protective filing date - these are exactly the kinds of details that can make a huge financial difference but aren't well explained on the SSA website. One question I have after reading all this: for those who have gone through the SSI to DAC transition, approximately how long did the process take from application to first SSDI payment? I'm trying to plan for that potential gap period that @Yuki Nakamura mentioned, and want to make sure we have enough savings to cover any interruption in benefits. Also, has anyone had experience with their disabled adult child receiving both SSI and SSDI simultaneously? I'm curious how that worked out practically in terms of reporting requirements and monthly payments. Thank you all for sharing your knowledge and experiences - this discussion has been more helpful than hours of trying to navigate government websites!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share something that might be helpful for your planning. My daughter has Down syndrome and we went through the SSI to DAC transition about three years ago when my husband reached his FRA. Regarding timing, the actual application process for DAC benefits took about 4-5 months from start to finish in our case. However, we were fortunate that SSA approved the retroactive benefits back to the protective filing date, so she didn't lose any money during the processing time. The key was filing the application within the first few months after my husband became eligible. One practical tip: when we made the transition, our daughter's monthly benefit amount actually increased by about $200, but we lost some state benefits that were tied to her SSI status. Make sure to check with all the agencies that currently provide services to your son (vocational rehabilitation, transportation assistance, etc.) to see how the change might affect those programs. Also, I can confirm what others mentioned about concurrent benefits - for the first year after transitioning, our daughter received a small supplemental SSI payment because her initial SSDI amount was below the SSI threshold. SSA handled the calculations automatically, which was a relief because the math looked impossibly complex when I tried to figure it out myself! This community has been such a valuable resource for navigating these decisions. Good luck with your planning!

I'm dealing with a similar situation and wanted to share what I've learned from my research and speaking with SSA representatives. The key thing to understand is that there are really two separate calculations happening here: 1. Your son's DAC benefit amount (50% of your husband's PIA - this doesn't change based on when your husband files) 2. The Family Maximum Benefit limits that could reduce everyone's payments From what I've gathered, if your husband is the only one receiving benefits on his record initially, the family maximum won't be an issue. But once your son starts receiving DAC benefits, the combined payments might hit that ceiling, especially if your husband took reduced benefits early. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - consider whether your earnings record might provide better benefits for your son than your husband's. DAC benefits can be claimed on either parent's record, so it's worth having SSA calculate both scenarios. Also, regarding timing - your son can potentially start receiving DAC benefits as soon as your husband begins receiving retirement benefits, assuming he meets the disability requirements and has the proper documentation. The age 18/22 confusion often comes from mixing up DAC benefits with student benefits or other programs. Definitely start gathering all medical documentation now and consider that SSI application to establish the disability determination!

I'm a newcomer to this community but have been researching this exact situation for my own family. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! One thing I want to emphasize that several people have touched on - the timing of starting the disability application process is critical. Even though your son is only 17, beginning the SSI application now can establish that crucial disability determination before he turns 18. This creates a paper trail that will be invaluable when applying for DAC benefits later. From what I've learned, the Social Security Administration requires extensive medical documentation proving the disability began before age 22. Having that SSI application in process (even if denied due to family income) creates an official record of the disability evaluation that can streamline future DAC applications. Also, I noticed someone mentioned considering both parents' earnings records for potential DAC benefits - this is huge! Many families don't realize they can choose which parent's record provides better benefits for their disabled adult child. Definitely have SSA run calculations for both scenarios. The complexity of how early retirement affects family maximum benefits seems to vary case by case, so getting those personalized calculations from SSA will be essential for your decision-making process. Good luck navigating this - it's overwhelming but you're asking all the right questions!

Thank you all for this incredibly detailed and helpful discussion! As someone new to this community, I'm amazed by how much practical knowledge has been shared here. I'm in a similar situation with my elderly mother who receives Social Security, and this thread has been eye-opening. The distinction between what SSA actually does (stops payments and reclaims benefits) versus what banks might do (their own freezing policies) is so important to understand. A few additional questions based on what I've read: For those who had to return Social Security payments, did you face any penalties or just have to return the amount? And has anyone dealt with this situation across state lines - like if the death occurs in one state but the bank account is in another? I'm definitely going to follow the action plan that's been outlined here: call my mom's bank for their specific policies, get it in writing, set up backup emergency funds, and know to call SSA first when the time comes. This community is incredibly valuable for this kind of real-world guidance that you just can't get from official websites.

This entire thread has been absolutely invaluable! As a newcomer to this community, I'm blown away by the depth of real-world experience everyone has shared. I'm currently helping my 75-year-old father plan for these situations, and this discussion has completely changed my understanding of what actually happens. The clarification that SSA doesn't freeze accounts but individual banks have their own policies is crucial - I was operating under the same misconception as the original poster. The specific experiences people shared (Wells Fargo's 5-day hold, Chase's 10-day policy, credit unions being more flexible) are incredibly helpful for planning purposes. I'm particularly grateful for the timing advice about calling SSA first before notifying the bank - that seems like it could prevent significant bureaucratic delays. And the suggestion to get bank policies in writing is brilliant. One quick question for those who've been through this: Did any of you encounter situations where the bank required additional documentation beyond just a death certificate, like probate paperwork or affidavits? I want to make sure we're prepared with everything that might be needed. Thank you all for creating such a comprehensive resource on this topic. This is exactly the kind of practical guidance that makes a real difference during difficult times.

This has been such an incredibly helpful thread! I'm in a very similar situation with my son who has autism, and I was making this way more complicated than it needed to be. The key insight that finally clicked for me is understanding that SSA is essentially asking two completely different questions: 1. "Are you providing half support?" (for dependency/administrative classification) 2. "What food and shelter are you providing?" (for ISM payment reductions) The first question wants you to count EVERYTHING - medical copays, clothing, phone bills, transportation, entertainment, therapy costs, etc. The second question only cares about direct food and housing payments that might reduce his monthly SSI. So when I calculate all the support I provide (including non-food/shelter items), I'm definitely over the 50% threshold. But most of that support doesn't affect his SSI payment at all because it's not food or shelter related. I think what made this so confusing initially is that we naturally assume "support" means the same thing in both contexts, but SSA uses it for completely different administrative purposes. Once you understand that distinction, it becomes much clearer how to answer their questions honestly without worrying about accidentally hurting benefits. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences here - this community knowledge has been more helpful than any official SSA explanation I've encountered!

I'm so grateful for this incredibly detailed discussion! As someone who just started the SSI application process for my adult son with disabilities, I was completely lost when I encountered that "half support" question. Like many of you, I was terrified that answering honestly would somehow hurt his benefits. Reading through everyone's experiences has been absolutely enlightening. The key insight that really helped me is understanding that SSA is essentially wearing "two different hats" - one for dependency classification (the half support question) and another for payment calculations (ISM rules). They're using the same information for completely different purposes. I've started making the expense tracking list that several people recommended, separating everything into "food/shelter" versus "other support." It's eye-opening to see how much I provide in non-ISM categories like medical copays, clothing, therapy costs, and technology that won't affect his payment at all. This thread has given me the confidence to answer SSA's questions honestly and comprehensively. More importantly, it's helped me realize that I can support my son's quality of life without fear of accidentally harming his financial security. The community knowledge shared here has been invaluable - thank you all for taking the time to explain your experiences so thoroughly!