Can I apply for Social Security retirement at 62 while my SSDI application is still pending?

Yes, you can absolutely apply for retirement benefits while your disability application is pending. It's called a 'concurrent claim' and many people do this. Just be aware that your retirement benefit at 62 will be permanently reduced (about 30% less than your full retirement age benefit). If your disability claim is eventually approved, SSA will pay you the higher of the two benefit amounts, and they can adjust your onset date to preserve your full benefit amount.

I was in almost the exact situation last year!!! Applied for SSDI for my heart condition, waited FOREVER, and started taking retirement when I hit 62 because I was broke. My disability finally got approved 9 months later. They paid me the difference between the early retirement and what my disability payment should have been for those months. DEFINITELY file for both - at least you'll have SOME money coming in while you wait.

you should wait for disability if u can afford it. early retirement means less money FOREVER. my neighbor took early and regrets it.

I think this is exactly what the SSA people call protective filing. I did it last year and it was a smart move - just make sure you tell them when you apply for retirement that you already have a disability application pending. The systems don't always talk to each other from what the lady at the office told me. In my case, I ended up getting approved for disability after 14 months total (ugh) but the retirement benefits kept me from losing my house while I waited.

Filing for retirement benefits while waiting for a disability decision is a common strategy. Here's what you should know: 1) If approved for disability, SSA will pay the higher of the two benefits 2) If your disability onset date is before your retirement start date, SSA can adjust to pay you the full disability amount without the early retirement reduction 3) You won't have to repay the retirement benefits you received 4) The medical requirements for disability don't change just because you filed for retirement One thing to consider: if your disability claim is denied and you appeal, having retirement benefits might help you financially during that potentially lengthy appeal process.

I was in your EXACT same position in 2022! I couldn't get anyone at Social Security to answer my calls to check on my disability status. I was about to lose my mind from stress. Then I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual SSA agent in like 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU The agent I talked to confirmed I could file for retirement while waiting on disability and explained exactly how it would work. Seriously saved me SO much anxiety. My disability was eventually approved and they adjusted everything automatically just like they said they would.

the SSA is so backloged right now dont expect a fast decision. my brother waited 19 months for disability!!

One more thing to consider: If you're approved for disability, your benefit will convert to retirement when you reach full retirement age (66-67 depending on your birth year). But the amount won't change - you'll still receive the same payment as your disability benefit. This is standard procedure and happens automatically.

I see a lot of good advice here already but wanted to add one thing - make sure you tell SSA that you want them to process the disability claim even after your retirement starts. Sometimes they might assume you want to withdraw the disability claim once retirement begins, which you DON'T want to happen! Get everything in writing when possible.

Based on everything shared here, it sounds like applying for retirement benefits while your SSDI is pending is definitely the right move for your situation. I went through something similar with my knee problems - couldn't work, bills piling up, and the disability process dragging on forever. Taking early retirement at least gave me some income to survive on while waiting. The key things I learned: 1) Make sure to explicitly tell SSA you want BOTH claims processed, 2) Keep detailed records of all communications, and 3) Don't worry about the early retirement "penalty" because if disability gets approved, they'll adjust everything retroactively. The peace of mind from having some money coming in is worth it. Hang in there - the waiting is the hardest part but you're making the smart choice by not letting yourself go broke while fighting for what you deserve.

Welcome everyone who's joined this discussion recently! As someone who's been navigating the SSA system for a while, I wanted to add a few practical tips that might help: 1) When you call SSA or visit an office, always ask for a "receipt" or confirmation of what was discussed - they can provide a summary letter that documents your conversation 2) Consider setting up a my Social Security account online (ssa.gov) if you haven't already - you can track both applications and see updates without having to call 3) If you do decide to file for both, bring documentation of your pending SSDI case (claim number, dates, etc.) when you apply for retirement benefits The most important thing I've learned is that this process requires patience but also persistence. Don't let anyone discourage you from pursuing what you're entitled to. The concurrent filing strategy has worked well for many people in this community, and it sounds like it could be a lifeline for those of you dealing with financial stress while waiting for disability decisions. Keep advocating for yourselves - you know your situations best!