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.

I'm a retired SSA customer service representative and wanted to add something that might be really helpful for your specific timeline. Since you mentioned turning 62 on January 22nd, there's actually a strategic advantage to your birthday being late in the month. Social Security benefits are paid based on your birth date within the month. Since your birthday is after the 3rd of the month, your retirement benefits would normally be paid on the 4th Wednesday of each month. However, when you're receiving both retirement and potentially SSDI benefits, the payment timing can get more predictable. Here's something most people don't know: if you apply for retirement benefits to begin in January and specify that you want them to start with your birthday month (not the month after), you can potentially receive your first payment in late February rather than waiting until March. The key is being very specific about your "month of entitlement" when you apply. Also, I want to emphasize something about working with your attorney. Make sure they understand that you're planning to take early retirement. Some disability attorneys actually prefer this approach because it demonstrates to Administrative Law Judges that their client has exhausted other income options and truly needs disability benefits. It can strengthen rather than weaken your SSDI case. One last practical tip: when you call SSA to apply (and definitely call rather than just applying online for a case this complex), ask them to schedule your appointment for late August or early September. Don't wait until closer to your birthday. The earlier you get in their system, the smoother everything tends to go. You're absolutely making the right decision here. I processed thousands of these dual applications over my career, and this strategy works exactly as it's supposed to.

Welcome to the community! As someone who recently went through a very similar situation, I can definitely relate to your concerns about those 3-paycheck months. The advice everyone has shared here is spot-on - being proactive is absolutely the way to go. I work part-time earning about $280 weekly and faced the exact same worry about exceeding SGA limits during months with 3 paychecks. What really helped me was creating a simple tracking system right from the start: I keep a small calendar where I mark my work hours each day and note my pay dates. This way, I have clear documentation showing that my work pattern is consistent even when the pay timing creates those higher monthly totals. One thing I learned is that when you call SSA proactively (which I highly recommend), be very specific about your situation. Explain that you work consistent hours but get paid bi-weekly, resulting in 26 pay periods per year. Most representatives understand this issue once it's explained clearly, but having your numbers ready helps - like your weekly earnings, total annual projected income, and the specific months when 3-paycheck situations will occur. The peace of mind from getting ahead of this is totally worth the effort. Good luck with your new job, and don't hesitate to update us on how your proactive call with SSA goes!

Welcome to the community! I'm also new to working while on SSDI and this thread has been incredibly eye-opening. Like many others here, I had no idea about the 3-paycheck month complications until reading everyone's experiences. What really stands out to me is how this seems to be such a common issue, yet SSA's systems aren't designed to handle it automatically. It's frustrating that we have to become experts in payroll timing just to work part-time safely, but I'm so grateful for communities like this where people share real-world solutions. I'm currently in the job search phase and now I know to ask about pay schedules upfront and start documenting everything from day one. The advice about keeping daily work logs, getting employer letters, and calling SSA proactively seems like the winning combination based on everyone's successful experiences here. Has anyone dealt with this situation while working for multiple part-time employers? I'm wondering if having two different pay schedules makes the documentation more complex or if the same principles apply. Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed experiences - this kind of practical guidance is invaluable for those of us navigating these waters for the first time!

Thank you all for the helpful advice! I've scheduled a meeting with our accountant for next week to discuss restructuring our payroll. It sounds like it's definitely worth getting my wife on the books properly for these remaining years. I appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and knowledge - this has been really eye-opening for us.

Great to hear you're taking action! One additional thing to consider when meeting with your accountant - ask about the timing of when to start the new payroll structure. Since you're already 67 and ready to file for your Social Security, you might want to coordinate the timing of your claim with when you begin paying your wife. Also, make sure to discuss the self-employment tax implications if you're currently structured as a sole proprietorship vs. other business entity types. The way you split income can affect both your current tax liability and her future Social Security benefits. Good luck with the meeting - sounds like you're on the right track to optimize both of your retirement situations!

I'm also approaching 70 and found this discussion incredibly reassuring! One thing I wanted to add from my recent experience with SSA - if you're worried about the online application, you can actually call the national number and ask them to walk you through it over the phone while you're on their website. I did this last month and the representative was very patient, staying on the line while I filled out each section. It gave me the confidence of doing it online (which they prefer) but with live support when I had questions about specific fields. The whole process took about 45 minutes with their guidance, and I felt much more confident knowing someone was there to help if I got confused. This might be a good middle ground for those who are tech-savvy enough for online applications but want that extra reassurance from speaking with an actual person!

I'm in almost the exact same situation - turning 70 in November and just received that same letter from SSA! Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful. I was particularly stressed about the online application requirement, but hearing that it typically takes 20-30 minutes and that you can save your progress makes it feel much more doable. One question I have after reading through everyone's experiences: has anyone dealt with having multiple state pensions along with Social Security? I worked for two different state governments during my career and I'm wondering if this complicates the application process or affects the benefit calculation due to WEP. The SSA website mentions it but doesn't give clear guidance on how to report multiple government pensions. Based on everything I've read here, I'm planning to apply in August (3 months before my November birthday) and will definitely create my Social Security account beforehand to check my earnings record. Thank you all for sharing your real experiences - this community support makes such a difference when navigating these major decisions!

Hi everyone! I'm new to this community and have been reading through this incredibly informative thread. As someone who's been putting off applying for my Social Security benefits because the whole process seemed overwhelming, all of your shared experiences have been so reassuring! I wanted to add one more tip that might be helpful - I called my local library yesterday and they mentioned that many libraries offer free assistance with government forms and applications, including Social Security. Some even have volunteers who are trained to help with these processes. While it sounds like the phone application is definitely the way to go based on everyone's experiences here, it's nice to know there's another support option available if anyone needs in-person help understanding their documents or preparing for the call. Also, for anyone who might be concerned about privacy during the phone application (like I was initially), the SSA representatives are bound by strict privacy laws and handle thousands of these applications. Reading about everyone's positive experiences with how professional and thorough they are has really put my mind at ease. Thank you to this amazing community for sharing so many helpful real-world experiences. You've all made what felt like navigating a confusing government maze seem completely manageable!

Hi everyone! I'm new to this community and just wanted to say thank you for all the incredibly helpful advice in this thread. As someone who's been anxious about applying for Social Security benefits, reading through everyone's positive experiences with the phone application process has been such a relief! I'm particularly grateful for all the practical tips - calling right at 8:00 AM, having documents organized beforehand, and knowing that the representatives are patient and thorough. The idea that I can complete the entire application from home in 30-45 minutes instead of spending hours waiting at an office is amazing. I'm planning to call the 1-800-772-1213 number next week and feel so much more confident now. It's wonderful to have found such a supportive community where people are willing to share their real experiences navigating these government services. Thank you all for making this process feel approachable instead of overwhelming!