I'm in a very similar situation - 65 and on SSDI for the past 6 years, with an ex-husband who recently started collecting his retirement benefits. I just went through this exact process last month and wanted to share what I learned. The most important thing is that you absolutely need to apply for the divorced spouse benefits to trigger the comparison - SSA won't do this automatically. When I called, they were able to give me the exact amounts over the phone before I even submitted my application, which helped me understand what to expect. In my case, my SSDI was actually $180 higher than what I would get from the ex-spouse benefit, so nothing changed for me financially, but at least I know I'm getting the maximum I'm entitled to. The whole process took about 3 weeks from application to receiving the written determination. One thing I wish I'd known earlier is that even if the amounts are close, it's worth applying because your ex-spouse benefit amount could increase if your ex-husband gets cost-of-living adjustments to his retirement benefit. Don't let the paperwork intimidate you - it's really not as complicated as it seems once you get started!

I'm also 64 and have been on SSDI for about 4 years now. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful! I've been putting off looking into this because the whole system seems so overwhelming, but it sounds like there's really no risk in at least applying to see what I might be entitled to. My ex-husband started collecting his retirement benefits about 6 months ago, and I keep wondering if I'm missing out on additional money. Based on what everyone has shared, it seems like the worst case scenario is that I find out my current SSDI is higher and nothing changes - but at least I'd know for sure. I think I'm going to follow the advice about using that Claimyr service to get through to SSA, since trying to call on my own has been frustrating. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories - it's so much easier to navigate this when you hear from people who've actually been through it!

good luck!!! make sure u send it certified mail so they cant say they never got it. thats what happened to my mom the first time!

That's a smart idea! I'll definitely send it certified mail. I wouldn't put it past them to

I'm sorry to hear about your spouse's health situation. This is such a difficult time to be making these kinds of financial decisions. From what I understand reading through the responses, it sounds like you have a solid grasp of your options. Since your benefit is already higher than your spouse's, continuing the suspension until 70 would likely maximize your lifetime benefits even if the worst happens. Those delayed retirement credits really add up - that's an extra 32% on top of your FRA amount by age 70. One thing I'd suggest is getting exact benefit projections from SSA for both scenarios (your benefit at 70 vs. potential survivor benefits) so you can see the actual dollar amounts. Sometimes the numbers can surprise you, especially if there are cost-of-living adjustments or other factors you haven't considered. Also, given the complexity of your situation with the SSDI conversion, suspension, and potential survivor benefits, it might be worth consulting with a fee-only financial advisor who specializes in Social Security planning. They can help you model different scenarios and make sure you're not missing anything important. Wishing you and your spouse all the best during this challenging time.

I'm so sorry to hear about your spouse's diagnosis - that must be incredibly overwhelming to deal with while trying to navigate these complex benefit decisions. Based on what others have shared, it sounds like you have the right understanding of your options. Since you mentioned your SSDI benefit is already higher than your spouse's Social Security, the math likely favors continuing your suspension until 70 even if the unthinkable happens before then. Those delayed retirement credits could increase your benefit by up to 32%, which would probably exceed any survivor benefit amount. One additional consideration: if you do decide to suspend at FRA, make sure you understand how that affects your Medicare Part B premiums. You'll still need to pay those even while your cash benefits are suspended, so factor that into your budget planning during the suspension period. I'd also echo what others said about getting everything in writing from SSA. With a situation this complex involving SSDI conversion, suspension, and potential survivor benefits, you want to make sure you have documentation of exactly what your options are. Take care of yourself during this difficult time. These financial decisions are stressful enough without the added emotional burden you're carrying.

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!

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!