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wait hold up - ur saying u can collect SSDI and then switch to regular SS later?? does that mean u get two checks?? i'm confused how that works
No, you don't get two checks. When you reach Full Retirement Age (FRA), your SSDI benefits automatically convert to retirement benefits, usually at the exact same amount. It's just an administrative change on SSA's end - your benefit amount typically stays the same and you continue getting one monthly payment. The advantage is that taking SSDI early (if you qualify) doesn't reduce your benefit amount like taking early retirement would. So you avoid the early filing reduction that would normally apply if you took retirement benefits before your FRA.
Something nobody's mentioned yet: if you have enough work credits and are approved for SSDI, you'll automatically qualify for Medicare after 24 months of receiving SSDI benefits, regardless of your age. This could be really important if you're losing employer health insurance and aren't yet 65. In my case, this was almost as valuable as the SSDI payments themselves. Also, have you looked into whether your employer's long-term disability insurance might cover you? Many people don't realize they have LTD through their job that could help bridge the gap while waiting for SSDI approval (which can take many months).
The Medicare info is SO important - thank you! I was actually really worried about health insurance between retirement and 65. I hadn't even thought about checking my employer's LTD policy. I'll look into that right away. The early retirement package includes 18 months of subsidized COBRA, but after that I'd be on my own until Medicare eligibility.
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Make sure u bring id also they asked me for 2 forms of id when i went!!
Thanks for the reminder! I'll definitely bring my driver's license and passport just to be safe.
Did anyone else notice how complicated our system is?! Why should someone have to jump through all these hoops just to get benefits they're entitled to? Two deceased ex-spouses, early vs. full retirement age rules, documentation requirements... No wonder people give up or miss out on benefits they deserve. The whole system needs an overhaul!
I agree it's complicated, but to be fair, this is a pretty unique situation. Most people don't have multiple deceased ex-spouses with different benefit amounts. The complexity comes from trying to make the system fair for all these different scenarios.
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Has anyone else noticed that the SSA website hasn't been updated with ANY information about the WEP repeal yet? I've been checking every few days but there's nothing official about how they're planning to implement it.
Because they're COMPLETELY UNPREPARED for this change!!! They'll probably take MONTHS to figure out how to implement it properly!! That's why waiting might be smart!
After reading through all the comments, I want to emphasize a strategic approach. File now, but be prepared for some administrative challenges. The SSA will almost certainly implement the WEP repeal retroactively once it's signed into law, meaning anyone affected will eventually receive the correct amount regardless of when they file. The key is documentation and follow-up. Keep copies of everything, use the Remarks section of your application to note your WEP situation, and be prepared to follow up regularly. While the SSA systems may take time to adjust, establishing your benefit entitlement at your FRA is valuable from a planning perspective. Regarding your spousal benefit top-off, that calculation will automatically adjust based on your new primary insurance amount after the WEP repeal is implemented.
I really appreciate the thoughtful advice from everyone. I think I'll go ahead and file now rather than delay my benefits, but I'll make sure to document everything carefully and specifically mention the WEP situation in my application. It seems like the consensus is that SSA will eventually sort it out, even if it takes some time for the adjustment to happen.
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I've been running a small Etsy shop since I was 68 (I'm 74 now), and while my Social Security hasn't been affected, the tax situation is something you really need to understand. At tax time, my first year was super confusing with the Schedule C, self-employment tax, and estimating quarterly payments. Would it be an actual job with a W-2 or are you doing independent contractor work with a 1099? That makes a big difference for tax purposes.
It would be contractor work with a 1099. I'm thinking I should probably talk to a tax professional before starting, just to make sure I understand all the implications. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Based on all the information shared here, let me summarize for you: 1. Your Social Security benefits will NOT be reduced no matter how much you earn (since you're over FRA) 2. Your Medicare premiums probably won't increase unless your household income is already close to $206,000 3. You may need to pay taxes on more of your Social Security benefits if your combined income exceeds the thresholds mentioned 4. As a 1099 contractor, you'll need to pay self-employment tax and possibly quarterly estimated taxes A consultation with a tax professional would definitely be worthwhile before you start. They can help you plan for quarterly payments and maximize any home office or business deductions you might be eligible for.
This is super helpful! I'll definitely speak with a tax professional. I hadn't thought about the home office deduction - that could help offset some of the self-employment tax. Thank you all for your advice!
Fernanda Marquez
did u check if u qualify for spousal benefits? might get more that way depending on what ur spouse earned
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Isaiah Sanders
•I'm divorced (after 20 years of marriage) and never remarried. My ex made about the same as me income-wise. I know I can claim on his record since we were married over 10 years, but I think my own benefit would be higher? Not sure how to compare them.
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Xan Dae
To answer your question about seeing which 35 years SSA uses: Unfortunately, the my Social Security portal doesn't show exactly which years they're using in the calculation. They take your highest 35 years after indexing them for inflation (older earnings get adjusted upward). Regarding your divorce situation: You can claim on your ex-spouse's record if you were married 10+ years and haven't remarried. You'd get 50% of their FRA benefit amount if that's higher than your own benefit. With similar earnings histories, your own benefit is likely higher, but it's worth checking with SSA. And yes, the delayed retirement credit is 8% per year after FRA until age 70, so waiting from 66+6mo to 70 would give you about a 28% larger monthly benefit for life.
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Isaiah Sanders
•Thank you so much for the detailed explanation! This has been incredibly helpful. I think I'll schedule an appointment with the SSA to go over all these options before making my final decision.
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