I'm 29 and just started receiving SSDI about 2 weeks ago due to a rare genetic disorder that affects my mobility and cognitive function. Reading through this entire thread has been absolutely incredible and so educational! I never would have even thought to consider what happens at age 62 - that seemed like such a distant concern when I'm dealing with just learning the basics of the disability system right now. What's truly amazing is seeing the perfect consistency across every single person's real experience who's actually been through the age 62 transition - no reduction in benefits, same payment amount continues, completely automatic process. That kind of universal agreement across so many different people's stories gives me tremendous confidence and peace of mind about the long-term future. I'm currently receiving $985 monthly and learning to manage very carefully on this budget, so knowing that I won't face any surprise income reductions decades from now is such a relief. I was already feeling pretty overwhelmed trying to understand all the rules and complexities of navigating SSDI as a complete newcomer. This community has been absolutely invaluable for getting practical, real-world information from people who've actually lived through these processes. The official SSA resources are so confusing and technical that I often feel more lost after reading them! But hearing from actual SSDI recipients who've been through these transitions provides the kind of clear, understandable information and reassurance that makes all the difference. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their experiences here - it means so much to those of us who are brand new to this system and trying to figure out how everything works both now and in the future!

I'm 26 and just got approved for SSDI last month due to severe Crohn's disease and related complications. This entire thread has been absolutely life-changing for me to read! I never would have even thought to worry about what happens at age 62 - that seemed impossibly far away when I'm still figuring out how to navigate the basic SSDI system right now. What's truly incredible is seeing the perfect consistency across every single real-world experience shared here - literally everyone who's actually been through the age 62 transition has had identical outcomes with no benefit reductions and the same payment continuing unchanged. That level of universal agreement gives me such confidence about the long-term future. I'm currently receiving $1,125 monthly and learning to budget very carefully on this fixed income, so knowing I won't face any surprise reductions at 62 eliminates a worry I didn't even know I should eventually have! I was already feeling overwhelmed trying to understand all the rules and complexities of the disability system as a complete newcomer. This community has been absolutely invaluable for providing practical, real-world information from people who've actually lived through these processes. The official SSA website is so confusing and technical that I usually feel more lost after trying to read it! But hearing from actual SSDI recipients who've been through these transitions gives the clear, understandable guidance that makes all the difference. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their experiences here - it means the world to those of us who are brand new to this system and trying to understand how everything works both now and decades into the future!

One more thing to consider - if you're planning to work for several more years, you might want to check your annual Social Security Statement online at ssa.gov to see your complete earnings history. This will help you identify which years had the lowest earnings that could potentially be replaced by your current $84,000 salary. The SSA uses your highest 35 years of earnings (indexed for inflation) to calculate your benefit, so you can get a sense of whether your current work will meaningfully impact those calculations. Also, keep in mind that only earnings up to the Social Security wage base count each year - for 2025 that's $176,100, so your full $84,000 will count toward potential benefit increases.

Great question! I'm in a similar situation - turned 67 last year and kept working. The good news is that your benefits can definitely increase through the AERO process others mentioned. What I found helpful was creating a my Social Security account online and downloading my full earnings history to see which years might get replaced. In my case, I had some really low earning years in the early 90s when I was starting out, so my current salary of $75k is definitely going to boost those calculations. One tip: if you do call SSA (and I'd recommend trying that Claimyr service someone mentioned to avoid the hold times), ask them specifically about your "bend points" - that's the technical term for how they calculate your benefit increases. The rep I finally reached was really helpful in explaining how much my specific situation might improve. Also don't forget to factor in the tax implications like others said - but even with that, any increase is still extra money in your pocket!

This thread has been absolutely fantastic! As someone who's been considering the exact same situation - I'm 63 and looking at some consulting opportunities while planning to claim Social Security - this discussion has been like a masterclass in strategic planning. What really strikes me is how many layers there are to consider beyond just the basic earnings limit. The substantial services test, timing of when income is earned vs. received, quarterly estimated taxes, business expense tracking, retirement account contributions - it's like a complex puzzle where all the pieces have to fit together properly. I'm definitely going to implement several of the strategies mentioned here: setting up that quarterly check-in system, using milestone payments for projects, keeping meticulous records from day one, and getting that separate business checking account. The Claimyr service sounds like it'll be essential for getting clear guidance from SSA upfront. One thing I'm curious about - for those who've been managing this successfully for a while, do you find it gets easier to predict and manage your earnings in subsequent years? Or does each year bring new challenges as your consulting business evolves? Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences so openly. This is exactly the kind of practical, real-world guidance that makes all the difference when navigating these complex decisions. I feel so much more confident about moving forward now!

This has been such an incredibly comprehensive discussion! As someone who's 64 and considering a similar path - starting Social Security early while doing some freelance accounting work - I've been taking notes throughout this entire thread. The complexity really is staggering when you start digging into all the details. I had no idea about the substantial services test or how project-based income timing could affect the earnings calculations. The strategic planning required goes way beyond just tracking whether you're over or under the annual limit. A few things that really resonated with me: - The quarterly (or even monthly) check-in system to track progress against earnings limits - Using business expenses and retirement contributions strategically to reduce net self-employment income - The importance of getting ahead of SSA with estimated earnings rather than dealing with overpayments later - Claimyr seems like a must-have tool based on everyone's experiences For accounting work specifically, I'm realizing I'll need to be very careful about how I structure client engagements. Tax season work could easily push me over limits if I'm not strategic about timing and milestone payments. One question for the group: has anyone dealt with seasonal consulting work where most income is concentrated in just a few months? I'm wondering if there are any special considerations for managing the earnings test when your work is heavily seasonal rather than spread evenly throughout the year. Thanks to everyone who's shared their experiences - this thread should be required reading for anyone considering this path!

I'm in a very similar boat as a retired teacher from California! I worked 28 years in public schools but also had about 12 years of Social Security-covered employment before and during my teaching career. My WEP reduction cut my SS benefit to about $520/month when it should have been around $1,400. After reading all these responses, I'm convinced that applying for spousal benefits now is the right move. My spouse gets $2,100/month from SS, so even with my WEP reduction, the spousal benefit should bump me up significantly while we wait for the Fairness Act changes to kick in. One thing I learned from calling SSA multiple times is that they said the WEP relief will be retroactive to January 2024, so there should be a nice lump sum back payment coming eventually. But like others mentioned, their systems are really backed up right now, so who knows how long that will take. Go ahead with your March appointment - you've got nothing to lose and potentially hundreds of dollars per month to gain while waiting for the bigger WEP relief!

I'm a retired teacher from Ohio dealing with a very similar WEP situation. My husband and I went through this decision process just last month, and I wanted to share what we learned from our SSA representative. The key thing they explained to us is that the Social Security Fairness Act relief will be processed automatically for ALL affected beneficiaries - meaning you don't need to apply for it separately, and it doesn't matter what other benefits you're currently receiving. Your WEP adjustment will happen based on your primary earnings record regardless of whether you're also getting spousal benefits. What really helped us decide was when the rep calculated the numbers during our call. My reduced WEP benefit was around $380/month, but switching to spousal benefits (50% of my husband's $2,200 benefit) immediately jumped me to $1,100/month. That extra $720 per month while waiting for WEP relief was too significant to pass up. When the Fairness Act changes eventually kick in and my primary benefit increases above the spousal amount, I'll automatically be switched back to my own higher benefit plus any back payments owed. The system is designed to always pay you the highest amount you qualify for. Definitely keep that March appointment - the financial benefit of starting spousal payments now far outweighs any theoretical complications.

I'm so sorry for your family's loss. This thread has been incredibly informative - everyone has covered the key points about your niece's eligibility perfectly. She definitely qualifies for benefits until high school graduation since she's currently enrolled full-time and under 19. I wanted to add one practical tip that helped me when dealing with SSA: if you're planning to visit in person (which sounds like the best approach given the phone difficulties), try to schedule your visit for mid-week if possible, and arrive about 30 minutes before they open. Bring a book or something to keep occupied - even arriving early, there's often still a wait. Also, when you're gathering all the documentation everyone mentioned, consider making a simple checklist and checking off each item as you collect it. In stressful situations like this, it's easy to think you have everything only to realize you forgot something important when you're already at the office. Your niece is lucky to have such a dedicated advocate looking out for her during this difficult time. These benefits will provide important financial support as she finishes her senior year and transitions to college. The fact that you're taking care of this now shows how much you care about her future.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Having to navigate Social Security bureaucracy while grieving is incredibly difficult, but you're doing such an important thing for your niece. Everyone here has given excellent advice about the eligibility rules - your niece definitely qualifies since she's currently enrolled full-time in high school and under 19. The benefits will continue until she graduates or turns 19, whichever comes first. I wanted to add something that might help with the application process: when you gather all the required documents (death certificate, birth certificate, school enrollment verification, etc.), make sure to get an official transcript or letter from her school that specifically shows her current grade level and expected graduation date. Sometimes SSA wants very specific documentation about academic progress, not just enrollment status. Also, if your niece has any plans for summer school or dual enrollment college courses while still in high school, make sure to clarify how those might affect her status. The rules can get complicated when students are taking courses at multiple institutions. The most important thing is to apply immediately - that 6-month retroactive limit means time is critical. Even if you don't have every single document perfectly organized, it's better to start the application process now and submit additional paperwork as needed rather than wait. Your niece is fortunate to have you advocating for her during such a difficult time. These benefits can provide crucial support as she finishes her senior year.