This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm 69 and planning to file for Social Security in a few months when I turn 70. I had no idea that the comments section was where you request retroactive benefits on the online application - I would have been just as confused as you were, Drew. Reading everyone's experiences gives me so much more confidence about the online application process. It sounds like the key things to remember are: 1) Use the comments section for retroactive requests, 2) Keep all confirmation emails and documentation, 3) Follow up with a phone call in a few weeks to specifically confirm the retroactive months were processed, and 4) Consider requesting the full 6 months you're entitled to rather than just a few months. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this is exactly the kind of real-world advice you can't get from the SSA website itself!

I just went through this exact same process last year at age 70! Like you, I was completely confused about where to put the retroactive benefits request in the online application. The SSA website really doesn't make this clear at all. I also ended up putting my request in the comments section and was worried they'd overlook it. But it worked out perfectly - they processed my retroactive benefits without any issues. The comments section is genuinely the right place for this request, even though it feels wrong when you're doing it. Since you already got confirmation from an SSA agent that your application looks good, you're definitely on the right track. One thing I learned after the fact - you might want to ask about getting the full 6 months of retroactive benefits (back to April 2024) instead of just October and November. At 70, your benefits are already maximized, so there's no penalty for claiming the full retroactive period you're entitled to. I wish I had known this when I first applied! The retroactive payment came as a separate lump sum about 3 weeks after my regular monthly benefits started. Keep that confirmation email handy and don't hesitate to call in a few weeks to double-check everything was processed correctly. You handled this perfectly!

Oh, and regarding your specific concern about being paperless - you will still need to check your physical mail. Some communications from SSA are only sent by mail for security reasons, especially anything involving direct deposit changes or benefit verification. They're slowly improving their online services, but they're not completely paperless yet.

I work at a local SSA field office and can confirm what others have said - your earnings record absolutely stays accessible after you file for benefits. The main changes to your online account are: 1) The benefit estimator tools are replaced with actual payment information, 2) You get access to benefit verification letters and tax documents, and 3) The message center becomes more active with payment-related notices. Regarding paperless communication - we're moving in that direction but aren't fully there yet. Important notices like annual COLA announcements, Medicare enrollment info, and some legal documents still come by mail for regulatory compliance reasons. Pro tip: Set up text alerts in addition to email notifications - they're more reliable for urgent account updates. And definitely keep your contact info current in the system!

One more tip for when you do apply - make sure you have all your documents ready beforehand! You'll need your birth certificate, W-2 forms or self-employment tax returns for the last year, military discharge papers if applicable, and your bank account information for direct deposit. Having everything organized will make the online application process much smoother. I learned this the hard way when I had to stop halfway through my application to hunt down paperwork!

As someone who just went through this process last year, I can confirm what others have said about the timing. I also turned 62 in the middle of a month and had to wait for the following month to start receiving benefits. One thing I wish someone had told me earlier - if you're on the fence about claiming at 62 vs waiting, try running the break-even analysis. For me, even with the reduced benefits, I would have had to live past 78 to make up for the money I'd lose by waiting until full retirement age. Given my family history and financial needs, claiming early made sense. The SSA's online tools are definitely the way to go - I got my application submitted in about 45 minutes once I had all my documents ready. Much better than dealing with their phone system!

Just wanted to update - I called SSA this morning about my situation and spent 2.5 hours on hold only to get disconnected when someone finally picked up. So frustrating! Will try again tomorrow I guess.

I'm dealing with a similar situation and wanted to share what I've learned so far. I'm 64 and took early retirement at 62 due to chronic pain from fibromyalgia and arthritis. My condition has worsened significantly since then. After reading through all these responses, I called my local SSA office directly instead of the national number and had much better luck - only waited about 45 minutes. The representative told me that yes, I can still apply for SSDI even though I'm receiving retirement benefits, but I need to prove my disability existed before my full retirement age. She also mentioned something important that I don't think was covered here - if you're approved for SSDI, they'll look at whether you were actually disabled when you first filed for early retirement. If so, you might get retroactive benefits going back to when you should have filed for disability instead of retirement. The key thing she emphasized is getting current medical evidence showing your functional limitations. It's not enough to just have the surgery records - you need recent documentation from your doctors explaining exactly how your condition prevents you from working. Hope this helps!

After calling literally 47 TIMES over 3 days trying to get an update on my disability review, I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got through in under an hour. If your sister needs to actually speak to someone at SSA about her case status, it's worth checking out. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU Also - make sure she checks her online mySocialSecurity account DAILY! Sometimes they'll request additional info and only give a short window to respond, and the mailed notices often arrive AFTER the deadline!

I'm going through a similar situation with my dad who had a stroke at 59. Just wanted to add that if your sister is having trouble with daily activities, make sure that's well documented by her doctors too - not just the medical diagnosis but the functional limitations. SSA really looks at how the condition affects her ability to work and perform daily tasks. Also, regarding the house sale - we were in the same boat and our disability lawyer told us to go ahead with the sale since SSDI doesn't have asset limits. Just keep all the paperwork in case you need it later. The stress of maintaining a home she can't manage isn't worth it, especially when dealing with stroke recovery. Hang in there - the waiting is the worst part but stroke cases often have good outcomes if the medical evidence is strong.