Can I still qualify for SSDI benefits if I become disabled after age 62? Or just regular Social Security?

Your coworker is wrong. You absolutely CAN apply for SSDI even after age 62. The SSA will actually compare which benefit would be higher - your reduced retirement or your disability benefit - and give you the higher amount. Since SSDI benefits are calculated at your full retirement age amount (without reduction), it's often better to apply for disability if you truly meet the medical criteria rather than taking early retirement.

omg i had this EXACT same question last month when i hurt my back! my neighbor kept saying "just file for early SS" but i was like nooo that's a big cut. turns out you can get SSDI til your full retirement age, then it converts to regular retirement automatically.

You can definitely still apply for SSDI after 62. The key things to understand: 1. You must still meet the medical criteria (unable to perform substantial gainful activity) 2. You must have enough recent work credits (generally 20 credits in last 10 years) 3. The disability benefit would equal your full retirement amount (not reduced) 4. When you reach FRA, it automatically converts to retirement Many people mistakenly think disability isn't available after 62, but that's incorrect. The confusion happens because both programs are available in that age range. The SSA will actually process concurrent applications for both if you're over 62.

My sister went thru this exact thing! She was 63 and got MS diagnosis. She applied for disability and got approved in about 4 months (surprisingly fast). They paid her the full retirement amount, not the reduced 63-year-old amount. So yes you definitely can still get SSDI after 62.

I had this EXACT issue last year! I was 64, planning to work to 67 (my FRA), but had a stroke. The SSA field office initially tried to process my application as early retirement. I had to specifically insist on applying for SSDI instead. The difference was significant - about $430/month more by receiving disability instead of early retirement. Make sure they process the right application type if this happens to you!

UGGHH WHY is their system so complicated?!?! I've been trying to figure this out too! My husband (64) just got diagnosed with parkinsons and we're so confused about whether to apply for SSDI or early retirement. The SSA website is like reading hieroglyphics!!!

My husband actually just went through this last month! He's 63, got very sick, and we were confused about disability vs. retirement. What helped us was contacting our local SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) counselor who explained everything for free. She was way more helpful than calling Social Security directly.

One important thing to mention about applying for SSDI after age 62: if you've already filed for early retirement, there's a rule called "retroactive suspension" that might apply. If you applied for early retirement and then became disabled within 12 months of filing, you can withdraw your retirement application and apply for disability instead. If it's been more than 12 months, you can still apply for SSDI, but the process gets more complicated. Also remember that SSDI has a 5-month waiting period before benefits start. Planning around these timeframes is crucial when you're in that 62-FRA age range.

This is such valuable information! I'm 62 and was actually debating whether to file for early retirement or keep working until my FRA. Reading through all these responses has made me realize how important it is to understand the disability option too. It sounds like if you're healthy and can keep working, it's better to wait for full retirement benefits. But if health issues come up, SSDI could be a lifeline that preserves your full benefit amount. I'm definitely going to look into that SHIP counselor resource someone mentioned - seems like having an expert explain all these options would be really helpful for planning. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!

As someone who works in benefits administration, I want to emphasize something important that hasn't been mentioned yet: the "substantial gainful activity" (SGA) test for SSDI. In 2024, if you're earning more than $1,550/month ($2,590 for blind individuals), SSA generally considers you not disabled regardless of your medical condition. This is crucial for people still working full-time when they develop a serious condition. You might need to stop working or reduce hours significantly before applying for SSDI. Also, keep excellent medical documentation from day one of any serious diagnosis - the more comprehensive your medical records, the smoother your SSDI application process will be. Don't wait until you're ready to apply to start building that paper trail!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm 65 and still working, but my doctor just told me I have early-stage rheumatoid arthritis. I've been putting off any retirement decisions because I love my job, but now I'm wondering if I should start thinking about disability as a backup plan. From what I'm reading here, it sounds like I could still apply for SSDI even at my age if the condition progresses and affects my ability to work. The key seems to be having good medical documentation from the start (thanks for that tip!) and understanding that I'd need to stop working or earn under that $1,550 threshold before applying. It's reassuring to know that SSDI would give me my full retirement benefit amount rather than a reduced early retirement benefit. Has anyone here dealt with autoimmune conditions like RA in the SSDI process? I'm curious about how SSA evaluates progressive conditions that might not be severely limiting initially but could become disabling over time.

Wow, this thread has been incredibly educational! As a 64-year-old who's been considering early retirement, I had absolutely no idea that SSDI was still an option after 62. My understanding was the same as your coworker's - that once you hit 62, disability was off the table. Learning that SSDI actually pays your FULL retirement amount (not the reduced early retirement amount) is huge! That could be the difference between financial security and struggling. I'm also grateful for all the practical tips shared here - the importance of keeping detailed medical records, understanding the SGA limits, knowing about SHIP counselors, and being specific about which benefit you're applying for when dealing with SSA. It's clear that navigating this system requires a lot more knowledge than most of us realize. Thank you to everyone who shared their personal experiences and professional insights. This is exactly the kind of real-world information that can make or break someone's financial future in their later years.

This is exactly why I love this community! I'm 62 and have been so confused about all these options. My biggest takeaway from reading everyone's experiences is that you really need to be proactive about understanding your choices BEFORE you need them. The stories about people having to fight to get the right application type processed, or missing out on higher benefits because they didn't know SSDI was still available after 62, are eye-opening. I'm definitely going to start building that medical documentation file now (even though I'm healthy) and research our local SHIP counselor. It sounds like having an expert guide you through these decisions could save thousands of dollars in the long run. One question I have - if you're planning to work until your FRA but develop a condition that might qualify for SSDI, is there any advantage to applying for disability right away versus waiting to see if you can push through to full retirement? The timing seems really crucial for maximizing benefits.