Can I switch from SSDI to my husband's Social Security spousal benefits before FRA?

You cannot receive spousal benefits on your husband's record until you reach your own full retirement age (67) if you want the full 50%. If you take spousal benefits early, they'll be permanently reduced - and significantly so at age 58. Also, while on SSDI, you're already receiving your own retirement benefit early, just without the reduction because it's disability. When you reach FRA, SSA will automatically convert your SSDI to regular retirement benefits, and at that point you could file for the spousal benefit if it's higher.

My sister went thru something similar!! They told her she HAD to stay on SSDI until her full retirement age, then they switched her over automatically. She tried to get them to put her on her ex-husbands record early but they wouldnt let her do it.

I'd like to add a bit more detail to what's already been mentioned. When you're receiving SSDI, you're essentially receiving your full retirement benefit early due to your disability. At your full retirement age (67), your SSDI automatically converts to retirement benefits at the same amount. Regarding spousal benefits: You cannot receive BOTH your own benefit AND a full spousal benefit. Instead, you would receive your own benefit plus the difference to bring you up to the spousal amount (if higher). If you tried to take spousal benefits now at age 58, they would be extremely reduced - potentially as much as 70% reduction from the full 50% amount. This is why it makes sense to stay on SSDI until FRA. At your FRA, you should immediately contact SSA to apply for spousal benefits. They will then pay you your own benefit plus the difference to reach the spousal benefit level (which would be 50% of your husband's PIA - his benefit amount at his full retirement age).

OMG the EXACT same thing happened to me!!! I was on disability and my husband's benefit was WAY higher than mine. I called SSA like 4 times and got different answers every time!!! So frustrating. One person told me I could switch right away, another said I had to wait. FINALLY got someone who knew the rules and confirmed I had to wait till my full retirement age (which sucked). The whole system is designed to confuse people I swear.

I had the same issue trying to reach SSA about switching from SSDI to spousal benefits. After getting disconnected multiple times and waiting on hold for hours, I found a service called Claimyr that got me through to a real person at SSA in under 20 minutes. You might want to check out their video demo at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU to see how it works. Their site is claimyr.com. It was worth it to finally get a clear answer from an actual SSA representative about my options instead of guessing based on the confusing website information.

You people are all wrong. You can definitely apply for spouse benefits while on SSDI!!! Just go to the office in person and tell them you want to apply for spouse benefits. They will process it right then and there. Thats what my cousin did.

Thank you everyone for all this helpful information! I called the SSA again today and finally got through to someone who confirmed what most of you said - I need to wait until my full retirement age before switching to spousal benefits. She explained that taking spousal benefits early would mean a permanent reduction, and right now my SSDI is actually the better option anyway. I'm going to stick with my SSDI until I reach 67, and then I'll make sure to contact them about 3 months before my birthday to apply for the spousal benefit. The representative said they'll pay me my own retirement benefit (which converts automatically from SSDI) plus an additional amount to reach 50% of my husband's PIA. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and knowledge!