dont forget to setup direct deposit!!! my first check got mailed and i almost missed it cause it went to my old address

I'm in a similar boat - turning 67 next month and planning to work until my birthday before starting benefits. Reading through all these responses is really reassuring! Just wanted to add that I called SSA last week using the number on their website (1-800-772-1213) and got through after about 45 minutes on hold. They confirmed my application was received and processing normally. The agent told me that as long as you're past FRA, working right up to your benefit start date is totally fine and very common. She also mentioned that you can check your application status anytime through your my Social Security account online, which I didn't know before. Good luck with everything!

I work as a disability advocate and want to add a few important points that might help. First, when you call SSA, ask if they can do a "concurrent application" - this means they'll process both the termination of her child benefits and the start of her DAC benefits at the same time to minimize any gap. Second, make sure to ask about retroactive benefits if there's any delay in processing - sometimes they can backdate the effective date. Finally, keep detailed notes of every phone call and interaction with SSA, including names and dates. If something goes wrong, having that documentation can be crucial for appeals. The DAC benefit is really designed for situations exactly like yours, so don't let anyone try to steer you toward regular SSDI. You've got this!

I just want to echo what everyone else is saying - definitely call SSA ASAP and specifically ask for Disabled Adult Child (DAC) benefits, not regular SSDI. My cousin went through this transition last year and her benefits actually increased slightly under DAC. One thing that really helped was bringing a timeline of her daughter's medical history organized chronologically - the SSA rep said it made the disability determination much clearer since they could see the progression from early childhood. Also, don't be discouraged if the first person you talk to doesn't seem familiar with DAC benefits - it's unfortunately common. Just politely ask to speak with someone who specializes in disabled adult child cases. The whole process took about 6 weeks for my cousin, but because she applied early there was no gap in payments. You're being proactive by asking these questions now!

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!

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!

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!