Mason, I'm so sorry you're going through this - the combination of health issues and financial stress is incredibly overwhelming. I went through something similar when I became unable to work due to chronic fatigue syndrome at age 61. Based on everything shared here (and confirmed by my own experience), you absolutely should file for both benefits immediately. The retirement benefits will give you that crucial income bridge while the disability process plays out. A few practical tips that helped me: - When filling out the disability application, be very specific about your worst days, not your best days. They need to understand your limitations. - Start a daily symptom diary NOW - note when your legs give out, falls, pain levels, activities you can't complete. This documentation will be invaluable. - If you have any family or friends who can help with the paperwork, accept that help. The applications are exhausting when you're already dealing with health issues. The most important thing is to get that retirement application submitted ASAP. You can't afford to wait any longer for income. The disability application can follow once you've secured some financial stability. Hang in there - this process is frustrating but you WILL get through it. Many of us here have walked this path and come out the other side with the benefits we needed.

I'm also dealing with mobility issues and the financial stress that comes with sudden inability to work. What you're describing sounds exactly like what I went through when my condition first started affecting my ability to do my job safely. From everything I've learned through my own research and speaking with SSA representatives, you absolutely can pursue both benefits simultaneously. The retirement benefits will process much faster (usually within a month) and give you that critical income you need right now. The SSDI application is a separate process that runs parallel - if approved, they'll adjust your payments retroactively and remove any early retirement penalties. One thing I found helpful was calling SSA early in the morning (around 8 AM) when hold times are typically shorter. If you can get through to speak with someone directly, they can walk you through both applications and confirm that filing for both won't negatively impact either claim. The medical documentation is crucial for SSDI - start gathering records from every doctor you've seen about your leg issues, including any emergency room visits, physical therapy notes, or imaging results. Even if they haven't pinpointed an exact diagnosis, the documentation of your symptoms and functional limitations is what matters for the disability determination. Don't wait any longer on the retirement application - your financial situation is urgent and that benefit can provide immediate relief while you work on the longer SSDI process.

This is such valuable information! I'm a newcomer to this community and this thread has been incredibly helpful. I'm in a similar situation - my spouse has been on SSDI for about 8 years and will reach FRA in two years. I had no idea that suspension after conversion was even possible. The local SSA office told us the same thing about automatic conversion with no options, but clearly we need to speak with a Technical Expert who actually understands these rules. One question for those who've gone through this - is there any paperwork or documentation you'd recommend keeping during the conversion process? I want to make sure we're prepared when the time comes to request suspension for delayed credits. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and knowledge!

As someone new to this community, I just want to say thank you all for this incredibly detailed discussion! My mother-in-law is currently on SSDI and approaching her FRA in about 18 months, so this information is absolutely invaluable. It's shocking how much misinformation exists, even from SSA representatives themselves. The fact that multiple people here had to fight through incorrect initial responses really highlights the importance of asking specifically for a Technical Expert who understands these complex rules. The financial impact is enormous - we're talking about potentially tens of thousands of dollars in additional lifetime benefits. For families already dealing with the challenges of disability, every dollar matters tremendously. I'm definitely going to bookmark this thread and share it with my mother-in-law. When her time comes, we'll be prepared to wait for the automatic conversion and then immediately request suspension through the proper channels. Thanks again to everyone who shared their real-world experiences - this kind of peer knowledge is absolutely priceless!

Quick question related to this - I'm 63 and taking SS early but still working part time. Is it the same for me? Will they recalculate my benefits if I'm earning good money now?

Just wanted to add my experience - I was in almost the exact same situation as you two years ago. Hit FRA in March 2023, started benefits in May, and worked through December making about $180k that year. The automatic recalculation did happen, but like others mentioned, it took until December 2024 to see the increase. My monthly benefit went up by $147, which replaced one of my zero-earning years from the early 1990s when I was out of the workforce. One thing I learned is that you can actually check your Social Security Statement online at ssa.gov to see if your most recent year's earnings have been posted. They usually update it by late summer/early fall after you file your taxes. It's worth checking to make sure your high earnings year shows up correctly in their system! The wait is frustrating, but the automatic system does work eventually. Good luck with your continued work - sounds like you're making a smart financial move!

UPDATE: I finally got through to a Technical Expert! For anyone facing similar issues, here's what worked: I called my local office right when they opened (used the direct number that one of you suggested looking up), and specifically asked for a Technical Expert who could explain survivor benefit calculations in detail. I had to be firm but polite. The TE explained that the huge discrepancy in numbers was because one rep was calculating based on my own work record, another was using my survivor benefit, and a third was incorrectly applying the family maximum limitation (which doesn't apply in my situation since I'm the only beneficiary). The accurate reduction for taking survivor benefits 8 months early is about $290/month, not $600 or $80. This makes a huge difference in my decision! Thank you all for your advice and support!

This is such a relief to read! Your experience perfectly illustrates why persistence is so important when dealing with SSA. The fact that you were getting calculations based on three completely different scenarios (your own record, survivor benefits, and incorrect family maximum application) explains the wild discrepancies. $290/month reduction is much more reasonable and gives you a clearer picture for decision-making. Did the Technical Expert also walk you through the break-even analysis? That can help you decide whether claiming early makes sense based on your life expectancy and financial needs. Your success story will definitely help others facing similar situations. Thank you for taking the time to update us!

Just to add a bit more clarity on the technical aspects: There are actually two different earnings tests: 1. The annual earnings test for people who won't reach FRA during the year (limit of $22,320 for 2024) 2. The higher monthly earnings test for the year you reach FRA, which only counts earnings before your FRA month (limit of $59,520 for 2024) In your case, since you're only starting benefits in your FRA month (December), neither test applies to you. Your benefits starting with December (paid in January) won't be affected by any earnings, before or after your FRA.

This thread has been so helpful! I'm in a similar boat - turning 67 in November and have been stressed about my earnings this year. Reading everyone's experiences really confirms what I suspected but wasn't sure about. One thing I'd add for anyone else reading this: make sure you have all your documents ready when you apply. I started gathering my birth certificate, W-2s, and other paperwork early because I've heard the application can ask for quite a bit of documentation. Better to be prepared than scramble later!