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.

I just wanted to echo what others have said - you're absolutely making the right choice by considering both options. I was in a similar boat with my fibromyalgia diagnosis and couldn't afford to wait indefinitely for a disability decision. The financial stress was making my health worse! When I applied for retirement at 62 while my SSDI was still pending, the SSA representative actually encouraged it and said it was very common. She explained that they call it "dual entitlement" and that I wouldn't lose anything by doing both. My disability was eventually approved about 8 months later, and they automatically converted me to the higher disability payment and even gave me back pay for the difference. The most important thing is to keep pushing forward with your disability claim even after you start receiving retirement benefits. Don't let anyone convince you to withdraw the disability application - that would be a huge mistake. Document everything and stay on top of both cases. Your health and financial stability are the priority right now.

I'm new to this community but dealing with a very similar situation. I'm 61 and have been waiting 10 months for my SSDI decision for chronic pain issues. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea you could file for both at the same time! My biggest concern has been whether taking early retirement would somehow hurt my disability case, but it sounds like that's not true at all. The financial pressure is really getting to me and my spouse, especially with medical bills piling up. One question I have after reading everything here - when you apply for the retirement benefits, do you have to go through the whole application process again, or is there a simpler way to add it to your existing case? Also, has anyone had experience with how this affects Medicare eligibility timing? I know disability comes with Medicare after 24 months, but I'm not sure how that works if you're getting retirement benefits first. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this gives me hope that there's a path forward that doesn't involve choosing between financial survival and my disability claim.

I'm going through something very similar right now - filed for SSDI 8 months ago for degenerative disc disease and still waiting. I turn 62 in a few months and have been agonizing over this exact decision. Reading everyone's experiences here has been so helpful! What really stood out to me is that multiple people mentioned you won't lose anything by filing for both, and that SSA will automatically adjust to the higher amount if disability gets approved. I had been worried that taking early retirement would somehow "lock me in" to the reduced amount forever, but it sounds like that's not the case if your disability onset date is established before you started taking retirement. The financial stress is overwhelming - I've been living off savings and can't keep that up much longer. It's reassuring to know that this is actually a common strategy and that SSA representatives even encourage it. I think I'm going to follow everyone's advice here and file for retirement while continuing to pursue my disability claim. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories - it really helps to know others have successfully navigated this situation!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm 61 and in almost the exact same situation - filed for SSDI 9 months ago for severe arthritis and nerve damage, still waiting for a decision. The uncertainty is eating me alive, and I've been losing sleep over whether to apply for early retirement when I turn 62 in a few months. Reading everyone's experiences here has been incredibly reassuring. I had no idea that SSA would automatically adjust to the higher amount if disability gets approved later, or that the early retirement reduction could be reversed if the disability onset date is before the retirement start date. This completely changes my perspective! The financial pressure has been brutal - I've been trying to survive on part-time work but my condition makes even that nearly impossible some days. Having some guaranteed income through retirement benefits while continuing to fight for disability sounds like exactly what I need to do. Thank you all for sharing your stories and advice. It's given me the confidence to move forward with filing for both. Does anyone know if there's a particular order I should file them in, or does it not matter as long as I tell SSA about both applications?

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!

I'm new to this community but dealing with the exact same situation! I'm 62 next month and have been waiting 11 months for my SSDI decision for chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. The financial stress has been absolutely crushing - I've been living off credit cards and help from family, which makes me feel terrible. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been such a huge relief! I had been so worried that applying for early retirement would somehow hurt my disability case or that I'd be stuck with the reduced amount forever. But seeing so many people confirm that SSA automatically adjusts to the higher disability payment if it gets approved later completely changes everything for me. The term "concurrent claim" that several people mentioned is really helpful to know - I'll make sure to use that when I call SSA. And the advice about documenting everything and making it crystal clear that I want BOTH claims processed is exactly what I needed to hear. I think I'm going to follow everyone's lead and file for retirement benefits right away while continuing to push for my disability decision. At least I'll have some income to keep my head above water while I wait. This community has given me so much hope and practical advice - thank you all for sharing your stories!

I'm new to this community and finding myself in the exact same situation as many of you! I'm 61 and will be turning 62 in a few months. I filed for SSDI about 6 months ago for severe osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis, and I'm still waiting for any kind of decision. The financial pressure has been overwhelming - I've been trying to make ends meet on savings and occasional odd jobs, but my condition makes even light work incredibly difficult some days. Reading through all of your experiences has been such an eye-opener and honestly a huge relief! I had no idea that filing concurrent claims was even possible, let alone that it was a common and encouraged strategy. The fear of being "locked into" a reduced retirement amount forever was really holding me back, but seeing so many confirmations that SSA automatically adjusts to the higher disability payment if approved has completely changed my perspective. What really struck me was how many of you emphasized the importance of explicitly telling SSA that you want BOTH claims processed and documenting everything. That seems to be the key to avoiding bureaucratic mix-ups. I'm definitely going to use terms like "concurrent claim" and "dual entitlement" when I speak with them. The mental health aspect of having some guaranteed income while waiting for the disability decision is something I hadn't fully considered either. The constant financial stress and uncertainty has definitely been making my physical symptoms worse - it's like a vicious cycle. Having retirement benefits coming in would at least give me some stability and peace of mind to focus on my health and continuing to advocate for my disability claim. Thank you all for sharing your stories and practical advice. This community has given me the confidence to move forward with filing for both benefits. It's so reassuring to know that others have successfully navigated this challenging process!

I'm new to this community but unfortunately dealing with a very similar situation. I'm turning 62 in about 6 weeks and have been waiting 8 months for my SSDI decision for severe rheumatoid arthritis and related complications. The uncertainty and financial strain have been absolutely brutal - I've been burning through my small savings account and can barely afford my medications anymore. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly enlightening and honestly such a relief! I had been completely unaware that filing concurrent claims was even an option, much less that it's actually encouraged by SSA. Like so many others mentioned, I was terrified of getting "trapped" in the reduced early retirement amount, but seeing all the confirmations that SSA automatically adjusts to the higher disability benefit if approved later has been a game-changer for my thinking. What really resonates with me is how many of you talked about the mental health benefits of having some income security while waiting. The constant worry about money has definitely been making my arthritis flare-ups worse - stress is such a huge trigger for my condition. Just knowing I could have some financial stability while continuing to fight for my disability claim would probably help me sleep better at night! The practical advice everyone has shared is so valuable - using terms like "concurrent claim," explicitly stating I want both processed, documenting everything, and following up regularly. I'm definitely going to create that notebook system someone mentioned to track all my interactions with SSA. Thank you all for being so open about your experiences. This community has given me the confidence to move forward with filing for retirement while keeping my disability claim active. It's amazing how much hope and clarity you can find when you realize you're not alone in this struggle!

Welcome to all the newcomers who've joined this discussion! As someone who went through this exact situation about 18 months ago, I wanted to add my voice to reassure everyone that you're making the right choice by considering concurrent claims. I was 61 when I filed for SSDI due to severe diabetes complications and neuropathy. After 10 months of waiting with no decision and watching my savings disappear, I finally filed for early retirement at 62. Best decision I ever made! Having that monthly income took so much pressure off while I continued fighting for my disability claim. My SSDI was eventually approved 7 months later, and just like everyone here has said, SSA automatically converted me to the higher disability payment and even gave me retroactive pay to make up the difference. They also adjusted my Medicare eligibility timeline based on the disability onset date. The key is persistence and documentation. I kept a detailed log of every phone call, every visit, every piece of mail. When there were minor hiccups in the system (like one office not knowing about the other application), having those records saved me so much hassle. To everyone feeling overwhelmed by this process - you're not alone, and there really is light at the end of the tunnel. The concurrent claim strategy works, and it's there specifically to help people in situations like ours. Don't let financial stress destroy your health while you wait for bureaucracy to catch up. File for both and protect yourself!

I'm new to this community and so grateful to have found this discussion! I'm 61 and turning 62 in just a few months, and I've been waiting 9 months for my SSDI decision for lupus and joint problems. The financial strain has been overwhelming - I've been trying to survive on part-time remote work when my symptoms allow, but some days I can barely function. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been such an eye-opener! I had absolutely no idea that concurrent claims were possible, and honestly, I was terrified that applying for early retirement would somehow sabotage my disability case. But seeing so many people confirm that SSA automatically adjusts to the higher payment if disability gets approved later, and that the early retirement reduction can be reversed based on the onset date, has completely changed my understanding of the options. The stress cycle that several people mentioned really hits home - the constant worry about money definitely triggers my lupus flares, which then makes it even harder to work or function, which makes the financial situation worse. It's exhausting! Having some guaranteed income through retirement benefits while continuing to fight for disability sounds like exactly what I need to break that cycle. I'm definitely going to follow everyone's advice about using the right terminology ("concurrent claim," "dual entitlement"), being explicit that I want both claims processed, and documenting everything. The notebook tracking system that several people mentioned sounds like a lifesaver for staying organized with all the SSA interactions. Thank you all for sharing your stories and practical wisdom. This community has given me the confidence and knowledge I needed to move forward with both applications instead of suffering in financial limbo while waiting for the disability decision. It's amazing how much hope you can find when you realize you're not navigating this alone!

Welcome to everyone who's recently joined this discussion! As someone who went through this exact situation last year, I wanted to share my experience to hopefully provide some additional reassurance. I was 61 when I filed for SSDI due to severe back problems from a work injury. After 11 months of waiting with absolutely no communication from SSA (despite multiple attempts to call), I was facing eviction and had already maxed out my credit cards. When I turned 62, I filed for retirement benefits while keeping my disability claim active. The SSA representative I spoke with was actually very helpful and explained that this is called "protective filing" in some contexts, but the official term for having both claims active is indeed "concurrent claims." She made sure both were properly documented in their system and even gave me confirmation numbers for both applications. My retirement benefits started within about 6 weeks, which was a huge relief financially. Then, about 5 months later, my disability claim was finally approved with an onset date that was before I started taking retirement. SSA automatically converted me to the full disability amount and sent me a lump sum to cover the difference for those months. The most important advice I can give based on my experience: 1) Don't let anyone tell you that filing for retirement will hurt your disability case - it absolutely won't, 2) Get everything in writing and keep detailed records, 3) Follow up regularly on both claims, and 4) Don't feel guilty about needing financial stability while fighting for what you're entitled to. This process is designed to help people exactly like us who are caught between needing income and waiting for disability decisions. You're all making the smart choice by not letting yourselves go broke while navigating this broken system. Hang in there - there really is light at the end of the tunnel!