I'm 62 and just started receiving SSDI benefits a few months ago, so I have about 5 years before I reach my FRA. This whole thread has been incredibly reassuring! I was already stressing about what would happen when I turn 67, thinking I might have to reapply or deal with a bunch of paperwork. It's such a relief to know the transition is automatic and the payment stays the same. The point about being able to work without earnings restrictions after FRA is really encouraging too - I've been worried that I'd never be able to do any kind of work again, but knowing that option opens up at 67 gives me some hope for the future. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and knowledge!

I'm 64 and have been on SSDI for about 8 years, so this conversation is incredibly helpful! One thing I wanted to add that might be useful - when I contacted my local SSA office last year to ask about this exact transition, they mentioned that while everything happens automatically, it's still a good idea to update your contact information and review your beneficiary information in your my Social Security account before you reach FRA. They said sometimes people forget they have outdated addresses or phone numbers on file, and if there are any rare issues with the automatic conversion, SSA needs to be able to reach you easily. It's probably overkill, but I figure it can't hurt to make sure everything is current in their system before the switch happens in a couple years!

My brother applied for SS disability last year and they told him they lost his medical records too! He had to start his whole application over. Then they denied him anyway even with all his evidence! The whole system is broken. Good luck but don't get your hopes up.

I'm so sorry you're going through this stress! Document issues seem unfortunately common with SSA's system. A few suggestions that might help: First, during your callback tomorrow, ask them to read back the specific document titles/dates they have on file - not just page counts. This will help you identify what's actually missing. Second, if you have any particularly crucial records (like your neurologist reports you mentioned), consider having that doctor's office fax them directly to SSA with your claim number - sometimes this bypasses the portal issues entirely. Finally, keep detailed notes of every conversation including the representative's name and what they tell you. The anxiety around this process is real, but many people have gotten through similar document confusion and still been approved. You're being proactive by following up, which is exactly what you should be doing!

Thank you all for the helpful information! I've learned a lot. To summarize what I understand now: 1. My current wife gets 50% of my benefit at her FRA (if that's more than her own benefit) 2. She'd get 100% survivor benefits after I pass away 3. My ex-wife can't claim on my record since she remarried I'll try using that Claimyr service to confirm these details directly with SSA. It's frustrating how difficult it is to reach them by phone these days.

You've got it exactly right! Just one small clarification on point #1 - your wife will receive the higher of either her own Social Security benefit OR 50% of yours, but not both added together. So if her own benefit ends up being $1,200 and 50% of yours would be $1,500, she'd get the $1,500 spousal benefit. Also, since you mentioned you're delaying past your FRA until 69, those delayed retirement credits will increase your benefit amount, which means your wife's spousal benefit calculation (50% of your Primary Insurance Amount) and eventual survivor benefits will be based on your higher delayed amount. Good planning on your part! Hope the Claimyr service works out better for you than the regular SSA phone lines. Getting official confirmation is always wise with these complex situations.

Thanks to everyone who's replied! I feel so much better knowing I don't have any immediate responsibilities. I was stressing about this for days thinking I might be neglecting some important duty. Sounds like this is just my husband planning ahead (which is very like him). I appreciate all the information and personal experiences shared here.

Smart planning by your husband! Just to add one more reassuring point - you can even decline to serve as representative payee if/when the time comes and SSA contacts you. The Advanced Designation form expresses his preference, but it's not a legally binding commitment on your part. If circumstances change or you feel unable to take on those responsibilities in the future, you have the right to decline and SSA would then look for another suitable person or organization to serve as payee.

As someone who just turned 70 last month and successfully navigated this exact same process, I want to echo what everyone else has said - you're doing everything perfectly! The timing confusion is so real, but you've got it right. I applied in August for my December birthday (also after the 2nd), selected December as my benefit month, and received my first payment in January with all the delayed retirement credits included. The whole process went smoothly once I understood that distinction between benefit month vs payment month that several people have explained so well here. One additional tip I'd add: when you complete your application, take screenshots of every page, not just the final confirmation. I ended up needing to reference some of my application details later and was glad I had them saved. Also, if you haven't already, double-check that your direct deposit information is correct in your bank account - you don't want any delays once that first payment is ready to go! Congratulations on making it to 70 and maximizing your benefits. It's such a relief to finally start receiving those payments after years of planning and waiting. You're so close to the finish line now!

As a newcomer to this community, I just want to say how incredibly helpful this entire thread has been! I'm turning 70 in May 2025 and was completely lost about the application timing until I found this discussion. Reading through everyone's real experiences has cleared up so much confusion. The key points that really helped me understand: - Apply 3-4 months before your 70th birthday (which you're doing perfectly) - Select your birth month (March 2025) as the benefit start month, NOT the payment month - Since your birthday is after the 2nd, March is definitely your correct benefit month - Your first payment will arrive in April 2025 What I found most reassuring is how consistent everyone's advice is, and hearing from people who literally just went through this process in recent months with successful outcomes. The distinction between "benefit month" and "payment month" was the missing piece I needed to understand. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is such a valuable resource for navigating these confusing SSA processes! I feel so much more confident about applying for my own benefits in the coming weeks.