I went through this exact situation with my disabled daughter two years ago! Here's what I learned: SSA will automatically compare your PIA to your husband's when you file, and your son will get benefits based on whichever is higher. The key thing is that it's not additive - he won't get benefits from both records, just the higher amount. What really helped me was creating a MySocialSecurity account and looking at my benefit estimate. While it doesn't show family benefits directly, you can at least see what your PIA will be and calculate 50% of that to compare with what your son currently gets from your husband's record. Also, since your son gets SSI, remember that any increase in his Social Security benefits will reduce his SSI payment (minus the first $20). So the overall increase to your family's total income might be less than you expect. But definitely worth calling SSA to get the exact numbers - I found early morning calls (right when they open at 7 AM) had shorter wait times.

I'm new to this community but going through a similar situation with my 25-year-old disabled son. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! I had no idea about the timing issues with filing before FRA potentially reducing my son's benefit, or that SSI payments would be reduced dollar-for-dollar. One question I haven't seen addressed - does anyone know if there's a specific form or process to request that SSA compare both parents' PIAs to ensure your disabled adult child gets the higher benefit? Or is this something they automatically do when the second parent files for retirement? I want to make sure I don't miss any steps when I file next year. Also, has anyone had success getting benefit projections in writing from SSA before actually filing? It sounds like that would be really valuable for financial planning.

Welcome to the community, Emma! I'm glad you found this information helpful. Just wanted to add one more thing to consider - since you're planning to wait until 70, make sure you sign up for Medicare at 65 even though you won't be taking Social Security yet. Medicare enrollment is separate from Social Security benefits, and you could face penalties if you delay Medicare without qualifying employer coverage. Also, consider doing annual reviews of your Social Security statement to make sure your earnings are being recorded correctly, especially in these final high-earning years before retirement. Any errors now could affect your benefit calculation later. You can check this easily through your MySocialSecurity account. Best of luck with your retirement planning! It sounds like you're making a smart financial decision by waiting to maximize your benefits.

I just want to echo what others have said about the Medicare enrollment - it's so important! I made the mistake of thinking I could delay Medicare along with Social Security and ended up with a penalty that I'm still paying. Even if you have employer coverage, you'll want to understand the rules about creditable coverage and whether your plan qualifies. One resource that really helped me was the Medicare.gov website - they have a tool called "Get Ready for Medicare" that walks you through the timing. Since you're planning to work until 65 and then wait until 70 for Social Security, you'll definitely want to map out your Medicare strategy separately. Also, since you mentioned having trouble getting through to SSA on the phone, you might try visiting your local Social Security office if phone wait times are too long. Sometimes it's easier to get specific benefit estimates and scenarios explained in person, especially for complex situations like yours with the ex-spousal benefit comparison.

I'm 45 and realized I'm in the same boat - haven't had my physical SS card since my early 20s! Reading through all these responses has been really eye-opening. I'm particularly struck by the points about estate planning and helping elderly relatives potentially needing to navigate SSA processes in the future. The fact that the online replacement process only takes about 10 minutes and you're limited to 10 replacements in a lifetime makes a pretty compelling case for just getting it done now while it's convenient. I think I'm going to follow the advice here and go ahead with the replacement - seems like the "better to have it and not need it" philosophy makes sense, especially since I can store it securely and not carry it around. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences, this has been incredibly helpful!

I'm 39 and just realized I'm in the exact same situation - no idea where my SS card went! This whole thread has been incredibly informative. What really stands out to me is how many people mention the estate planning aspect and the 10-replacement lifetime limit. I never knew about that limit before. The online process taking only 10 minutes also makes it seem much more manageable than I expected. I think the "do it now while it's convenient" argument really resonates with me, especially since I can see myself potentially needing to help my aging parents with their paperwork in the coming years. Having gone through the process myself would probably make me more helpful to them. Plus, storing it in a safe deposit box or fire-safe seems like a reasonable compromise between having it available and not carrying it around for security reasons. Thanks everyone for sharing such detailed experiences - I'm definitely going to go ahead and get my replacement!

One important clarification about ex-spouse benefits that sometimes confuses people: applying for benefits on your ex's record does NOT reduce their benefits or notify them that you've applied. This is a common concern, but your application is completely confidential. Your ex won't know you've applied or be affected financially.

Just wanted to add from my recent experience - I was in a similar situation last year and ended up doing the online application first, then when it asked for documents I chose to mail them. Here's what worked for me: I made copies of my certified divorce decree and marriage certificate, wrote a cover letter with my full name, SSN, and reference to my online application, and sent everything via certified mail with return receipt. It took about 2 weeks but they processed everything fine. The key is making sure you have CERTIFIED copies from the court, not just notarized photocopies. Also, start the online application even if you're not sure about the documents - you can always complete that part later and it gets your case in the system. Good luck with your retirement!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm 64 and took early retirement last year, but recently developed chronic kidney disease that's progressing rapidly. My nephrologist says I'll likely need dialysis within the next 6 months, which would make working impossible. Reading about the disability freeze and potential benefit increase gives me hope that I might have options. Has anyone here dealt specifically with kidney disease for SSDI approval? I'm wondering if conditions that worsen over time (rather than sudden onset) face different challenges in the approval process.

I've been following this discussion as someone who went through a similar process recently. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is the importance of timing your application strategically. Since you're already 65 and receiving reduced retirement benefits, you have a limited window to apply for SSDI before reaching your full retirement age (which sounds like it's 66 and 6 months for you). What really helped in my case was filing the SSDI application as soon as possible after my diagnosis, even while I was still gathering medical records. SSA allows you to submit additional evidence after filing, but they can't backdate your application beyond when you actually filed. Given that you mentioned your health has "gotten much worse" since starting retirement benefits, you'll want to establish a clear timeline showing when your conditions became disabling. Also, don't be discouraged if you get conflicting information from different SSA representatives - this is unfortunately common with these crossover cases between retirement and disability. The policy is clear that you can apply, but not all front-line staff are familiar with these more complex situations. Stay persistent and document everything!