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One more clarification about the SSDI to retirement conversion at 67 - while your payment amount stays the same, there's a significant benefit: once you're on retirement benefits instead of SSDI, you'll no longer be subject to medical reviews, and you can earn unlimited income without affecting your benefits (unlike SSDI which has strict work limitations). Regarding your LTD question - many policies do terminate at 65, but the exact terms depend on your specific policy. Some continue until your Social Security Full Retirement Age (67), while others have different age-based schedules. I'd recommend reviewing your policy documents or contacting your LTD provider directly.
That's a great point about no more medical reviews! Those always make me nervous even though my condition is permanent. I didn't realize I could work without limits after conversion either - that's really good to know.
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This whole system is so confusing. I thought Social Security was supposed to be straightforward! My dad never had to deal with all these complicated rules when he retired.
The system has become increasingly complex over the decades. Your father likely retired before the major WEP/GPO expansions in the 1980s. These provisions were originally intended to prevent "double-dipping" but have created significant inequities, particularly for public servants with mixed careers. The recent legislation attempts to address these inequities, but as with most government programs, the implementation is far from simple.
If you have 40+ quarters of Social Security coverage as you mentioned, make sure that's properly documented in your earnings record. Sometimes quarters get missed in the system. I've seen cases where correcting the earnings record resulted in a reduction of the WEP penalty even under the old rules. You can check your lifetime earnings record in your mySocialSecurity account. If you see any years missing or with incorrect amounts, gather documentation (W-2s, tax returns) and submit a correction request. This might help regardless of how the new law is implemented.
That's good advice. I just checked my record and there actually are two years in the 1990s that show zero earnings when I definitely worked those summers. I'll need to dig through my old paperwork and see if I can find proof. Thank you!
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I'm confused why youd even consider claiming now?? If your still working full time at a good job just wait until you ACTUALLY retire! Your getting penalized with the earnings limit AND taking reduced benefits before FRA. Makes no sense to file early in your situation, just my 2 cents!
It's actually a valid question. Sometimes there are situations where claiming early makes sense, like if someone has health concerns or cash flow issues. But you're right that with a good full-time income, the earnings test would significantly reduce any benefits received before FRA. Each situation is unique - that's why getting accurate information from SSA about both benefit amounts is so crucial to making an informed decision.
To address your follow-up question - claiming ex-spouse benefits doesn't impact your own retirement benefits. When you eventually claim your own benefits, if they're higher than what you're receiving as an ex-spouse, you'll be automatically switched to the higher amount. This is different from spousal benefits strategies that existed before 2016. Given your full-time work and earnings level, you might want to consider these options: 1. Wait until your FRA (66+10 months) to avoid the earnings test entirely 2. Wait until you actually retire from your job 3. Speak with SSA to compare both benefit amounts to make an informed decision Remember that your own benefit increases by 8% per year if you delay claiming beyond your FRA, up until age 70, while ex-spouse benefits don't increase after your FRA.
Thank you! I think I'm going to wait until my FRA since I'm planning to work at least until then anyway. The earnings test would really eat into any benefits I'd receive now. I appreciate everyone's help in understanding this complicated system!
Elijah Knight
Something important nobody has mentioned yet: If you did have some work credits (even if not enough for your own benefit), those years of zero earnings are factoring into your lifetime average and will significantly reduce any benefit based on your own record. However, once you reach FRA, you can file a "restricted application" for ONLY spousal benefits if that would be higher than your own benefit. This is still available for people born before January 2, 1954. But since you mentioned being 60 now, you were born after that cutoff date, so you'll be subject to "deemed filing" - meaning when you file, you're filing for all benefits you're eligible for, and will receive the higher amount.
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Ana Erdoğan
•Thank you for explaining that. I do have some work credits from before I became a stay-at-home mom, but not enough for my own benefit. It sounds like the system will automatically give me whichever is higher between my own (likely very small) benefit and the spousal benefit. Is that correct?
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Elijah Knight
•Exactly right. The system will automatically calculate and pay you the higher of the two. In your case, with 16 years of zero earnings, your own benefit is almost certainly going to be lower than even a reduced spousal benefit. When you file, SSA will calculate both and pay you the higher amount. But remember: if you file at 62, BOTH benefit calculations will be permanently reduced. Your own benefit would be reduced by 30%, and your spousal benefit would be reduced to about 32.5% of your husband's PIA instead of the full 50% you'd get at your FRA.
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Lily Young
WAIT! Everyone here is giving advice without asking a critical question: is your husband still working? If so, how much does he earn? Because if he claims before his FRA and earns above the earnings limit (about $21,240 for 2025), both HIS benefits AND any benefits paid on his record (including your spousal benefits) would be reduced by $1 for every $2 earned above that limit. This earnings test could significantly impact what you'd actually receive!
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Ana Erdoğan
•Yes, he's still working full-time and makes about $78,000 per year. But he's planning to work until his FRA (67) and then claim. Would the earnings test affect me if I claim spousal benefits at 62 while he's still working but hasn't filed yet?
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Jay Lincoln
•The earnings test would only apply if your husband claims benefits before his FRA while still working. Since he plans to wait until his FRA to claim, the earnings test won't affect his benefits or any benefits paid on his record (including your spousal benefits). You can claim your spousal benefits at 62 (with the permanent reduction) while he continues working, and his earnings won't impact your benefit amount. The earnings test would only apply to you if YOU were working while collecting benefits early.
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