I'm in a very similar situation - had to stop working due to chronic pain conditions and just got my SSDI denial. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! I'm 61 and will be eligible for early retirement in about 10 months. One question I haven't seen addressed: for those who took early retirement while appealing - did you have any issues with the "substantial gainful activity" test during your disability hearings? I'm worried that receiving retirement benefits might somehow be interpreted as evidence that I'm not disabled, even though I know logically they're separate determinations. Also, @Sofia Ramirez - when you say you won at the hearing level, how long was the total timeline from your initial SSDI application to the final approval? I'm trying to get a realistic sense of how long this whole process might take. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - it's making this overwhelming situation feel much more manageable!

I just wanted to add another perspective that might be helpful. I'm a former SSA employee (retired about 3 years ago) and handled many cases involving simultaneous retirement and disability claims. The coordination between these two programs is actually very straightforward once you understand the mechanics. When you file for retirement benefits while your SSDI appeal is pending, the systems are designed to work together seamlessly. Here's what happens behind the scenes: 1) Your retirement claim gets processed normally and benefits begin 2) If you later win your SSDI appeal, the computer systems automatically identify the overlap period 3) SSA calculates your disability benefit amount and compares it to what you received in retirement benefits for each month 4) You receive a lump sum payment for the difference, plus your ongoing monthly benefit converts to the higher disability amount The key thing many people don't realize is that this coordination happens automatically - you don't need to do anything special or file additional paperwork once your disability appeal is approved. One small but important detail: when you apply for retirement benefits online, there's a section where you can add remarks or additional information. I'd recommend typing something like "I have a pending disability appeal, claim number [your disability claim number]" in that section. This creates a clear paper trail for the claims representatives. Given your financial stress and the fact that you're not working anyway, taking retirement benefits while continuing your appeal is definitely the right move. You're not giving up anything and you're getting crucial income during a difficult time.

I'm so sorry for your loss and completely understand the confusion you're experiencing. As someone new to this community, I've been reading through all these incredibly helpful responses and wanted to add my perspective as someone currently helping an elderly neighbor navigate similar Social Security decisions. The terminology issue you've encountered is unfortunately very common - "widow's benefits" and "survivor benefits" are indeed the same thing, just different ways SSA refers to it depending on the context. It's one of those bureaucratic quirks that makes an already difficult process even more confusing during a time when families are grieving. What I've learned from reading everyone's advice here is that the most important step is getting that SSA appointment to compare actual dollar amounts for your mom's options. At 62, she has strategic choices that could significantly impact her long-term financial security, and the only way to make the best decision is with the real numbers in front of you. I also wanted to mention something I noticed when helping my neighbor - bring a notebook or ask if someone can join the call to take notes. The amount of information they share can be overwhelming, and having everything written down helps when you need to review options later. Your mom is fortunate to have you helping her through this process. The fact that you're asking these questions and seeking guidance shows how much you care about getting this right for her.

I'm so sorry for your loss. As a newcomer to this community, I've been reading through all the excellent advice shared here, and I wanted to add one more resource that might help during this overwhelming time. If you're having trouble getting through to SSA on the phone (which unfortunately happens a lot), you might consider visiting your local SSA office in person if possible. Sometimes the face-to-face interaction can be more productive, especially when you need to compare complex benefit scenarios like your mom's situation. Also, I noticed several people mentioned asking for written information - when you do get that appointment, don't hesitate to ask the representative to email or mail you a summary of the options discussed. Having that documentation can be incredibly helpful when making such an important financial decision. The terminology confusion between "widow's benefits" and "survivor benefits" that you experienced is so common, and it really shouldn't add to the stress families face during grief. Everyone here has confirmed they're the same benefit - just different ways SSA refers to it. Your mom is lucky to have you advocating for her during this difficult process. The strategic approach many have mentioned about comparing her options could make a significant difference in her long-term financial security. Take your time with the decision and don't let anyone pressure you into rushing.

I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and advice on this thread. As someone who's been through the SSDI appeals process myself (though not quite in the same situation with the age 62 timing), I wanted to add one more perspective that might be helpful. The emotional toll of this process is something that doesn't get talked about enough. Being in limbo for 2+ years while dealing with a disability AND financial stress is incredibly draining. Sometimes the "mathematically optimal" choice isn't the same as the "mentally sustainable" choice, and that's okay. From what I've read in everyone's responses, it sounds like the early retirement bridge strategy has worked well for several people here, especially when combined with continuing to pursue the SSDI case with legal help. The key seems to be understanding that it's not an either/or decision - you can take early retirement AND still fight for your disability benefits. One small addition to the great advice already given: if you do decide to take early retirement, consider setting up automatic savings of even a small portion of that benefit if possible. If your SSDI gets approved later and you receive backpay, having some savings built up can help with the financial adjustment period while SSA processes the conversion. Connor, whatever you decide, you've clearly done your homework by asking these questions and considering all the angles. That's the mark of someone who will make a thoughtful decision regardless of which path you choose. Wishing you the best with both your financial situation and your disability case!

I've been following this thread as someone who works in disability advocacy, and I want to emphasize something that's come up several times but bears repeating: taking early retirement at 62 while your SSDI appeal is pending is NOT giving up on your disability case - it's a legitimate financial survival strategy. What many people don't realize is that SSA actually expects this scenario. They have established procedures for converting early retirement to disability benefits when claims are approved. The system recognizes that people can't wait 3-4 years without any income. A few additional points that might help your decision: **Hearing preparation**: If you don't have representation yet, seriously consider getting a disability attorney before your hearing. The approval rate jumps significantly with proper representation, and they work on contingency. **State resources**: Check if your state has any interim disability assistance programs while you wait for federal approval. Some states provide temporary support during the appeals process. **Documentation strategy**: Keep detailed records of your medical treatments, work limitations, and financial hardship during this waiting period. This documentation can strengthen your case and demonstrate the impact of the delay. Remember, approximately 65% of cases are approved at the hearing level versus only about 35% at initial application. You've already gotten through the hardest part by persisting this long. Your financial stability during this process matters for your health and your ability to continue fighting for what you're entitled to. There's wisdom in taking care of your immediate needs while pursuing your long-term rights.

I'm in a very similar situation! American citizen living in Edinburgh with my Scottish husband who worked in the US for about 8 years back in the early 2000s. We just started looking into this recently as he's approaching 65. One thing I discovered that might be helpful - if your husband is close to qualifying on his own record (like mine is with only 32 quarters), you can actually purchase voluntary National Insurance contributions in the UK to potentially boost his UK pension amount. While this won't help with US Social Security qualification, it could increase his UK pension, which ironically might make the spousal Social Security benefit smaller due to GPO, but his overall pension income could be higher. The math gets complicated, but it might be worth running the numbers both ways - especially if his UK pension is currently quite small. Sometimes maximizing the UK side makes more financial sense than trying to minimize GPO impact. Also, I've heard that the Federal Benefits Unit in London has been doing some virtual consultations since COVID, which might be easier than trying to get to London for in-person meetings. Worth asking when you contact them! Keep us posted on how the process goes - there seem to be quite a few of us in similar cross-border situations!

I'm in a somewhat similar situation - American expat in Germany with a German husband who worked in the US for about 6 years. We went through this process two years ago and I wanted to share a few additional insights that might help. First, regarding the Social Security card mentioned earlier - if your husband can't locate his original card, you can actually request a replacement through the Federal Benefits Unit rather than going through the standard US process. They have streamlined procedures for expats that can be much faster. Second, I'd strongly recommend getting a benefits estimate before you apply. You can do this by calling the SSA international number (it's painful but worth it) and asking them to calculate what his spousal benefit would be with and without GPO applied. This will help you make informed decisions about timing. One thing that caught us off guard was that they required proof of your marriage being valid for the entire period you've been married - not just the marriage certificate. Since you've been married 22 years, they might ask for additional documentation like joint tax returns, shared bank accounts, or other evidence of an ongoing marital relationship. The whole process took us about 5 months from start to finish, but we did hit a snag with document authentication that added about 6 weeks. Starting early is definitely the way to go!

Welcome to the community! I just joined recently after getting my own SSDI approval and going through this exact same nerve-wracking waiting period. Your experience at 5 days for an $8,900 back payment sounds very similar to what many of us have shared here. Based on all the timelines people have posted, you're definitely still in the normal range - it seems like anything over $5,000-7,500 triggers that manual review process that takes 5-15 business days. It's really frustrating that SSA doesn't explain any of this upfront, especially after we've already waited so long for approval! I found it helpful to call my bank just to confirm they weren't holding anything on their end, but based on everyone's experiences here, your payment should hit sometime in the next week. This community has been such a lifesaver for understanding how the process actually works versus what SSA tells you. Hang in there - you've made it through the hardest part already!

Just wanted to add my experience to help with your peace of mind! I went through this exact same situation about 4 months ago. My SSDI back pay of $10,200 showed up in MySocialSecurity on a Friday and took exactly 14 business days to actually deposit into my account. I was calling my bank every other day thinking something was wrong! What I learned from finally getting through to an SSA representative is that any back payment over $10,000 goes through what they call a "Treasury security review" which is completely separate from their regular payment processing. It's an automatic process that can't be expedited, and they said 10-15 business days is their standard timeline for these larger amounts. The frustrating part is they don't explain this anywhere in their online system or approval letters. Since you're at $11,250, you're definitely in that category. At only 4 days since your processing date, you're still very much in the normal window. Based on everyone's experiences here and my own, I'd expect yours to hit sometime between next Tuesday and the following Friday. The good news is your monthly payments will come like clockwork on the 3rd regardless of when the back pay arrives!