Can I try working while on SSDI at 65 without losing benefits before FRA?

You're in luck - you can absolutely test the waters using a Trial Work Period (TWP). Since you're on SSDI, you get 9 TWP months where you can earn ANY amount without affecting your benefits. A TWP month in 2025 is any month you earn more than $1,110. After using all 9 TWP months (which don't need to be consecutive), you'd enter your Extended Period of Eligibility for 36 months where you can keep benefits in any month you don't earn over Substantial Gainful Activity ($1,550/month in 2025 for non-blind individuals). The great thing in your situation is that once you hit your FRA, your SSDI automatically converts to retirement benefits, and the SGA earnings limit no longer applies. You'd only be subject to the retirement earnings test until you reach FRA, which is much more generous ($22,320/year in 2025 with $1 reduction for every $2 over).

Be SUPER careful with this!! My brother tried going back to work on SSDI and it turned into a NIGHTMARE. They didn't process his work reports correctly and suddenly claimed he owed $27,000 in overpayments!!! He had documented EVERYTHING and it still took 9 months to straighten out. The TWP sounds great in theory but the SSA's execution is HORRIBLE. If you do try working, document EVERYTHING and send your monthly earnings reports by certified mail!!!!

just wanted to say good for you for trying! many of us dont even feel well enough to try working again. hope it goes well

The previous advice about TWP is correct, but I'd add that your timing is actually perfect. Since you're only 14 months from FRA, even if you used up all 9 TWP months consecutively starting now (which would take you to about 9 months from FRA), you'd only have to navigate the Extended Period of Eligibility for a few months before aging into regular retirement benefits. One thing to consider: you should contact Social Security BEFORE you start working to set up proper earnings reporting. You can do this through your my Social Security account or by calling. Speaking of calling, if you have trouble reaching someone at SSA (very common), try using Claimyr.com - it's a service that navigates the SSA phone system for you and calls you back when they've reached an agent. Saved me hours when I needed to discuss my own return to work plan. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU showing how it works. Also, consider talking to a WIPA (Work Incentives Planning and Assistance) counselor - they provide free benefits counseling for SSDI recipients considering work.

my situation was different but i went back to work part time while on ssdi. my advice is KEEP RECORDS OF EVERYTHING. every paycheck, every report you submit to ssa, everything. take screenshots of your online submissions too.

I think you're overthinking this. Once you hit FRA, the SSDI switches to retirement benefits automatically. You're 65 and a half, so you're almost there anyway. If I were you, I'd just wait the 14 months until FRA and then work as much as you want. Why risk messing up your benefits for just a year of partial work? The paperwork and stress probably isn't worth it.

One thing nobody mentioned - check with your state about health insurance!!!! If you're on Medicare but also have Medicaid as secondary because of low income, working could affect your Medicaid eligibility BEFORE it affects your SSDI. This happened to my cousin and she lost her help paying her Medicare premiums and suddenly had all these medical expenses she couldn't afford!!

I went thru this few yrs back. The TWP is great but after that comes the Extended Period of Eligibility like others mentioned. Here's what nobody tells you - if you earn over SGA amount during EPE, benefits stop that month BUT can restart if earnings drop below SGA again. Thats why its good for you with unpredictable health. You can work when able, not work when not able, and benefits adjust accordingly. Just have to report earnings monthly.

good luck whatever u decide! its hard finding the balance between health and money

As someone who navigated a similar situation, I'd strongly recommend contacting a WIPA counselor before making any decisions. They can run personalized scenarios based on your specific benefits and earnings projections. One thing to consider that hasn't been mentioned - if you do start working and find you can't sustain it, there's something called "Unsuccessful Work Attempt" (UWA) provisions that can protect you if you have to stop working due to your disability within 6 months. Given your unpredictable condition, this could be relevant. Also, since you're so close to FRA, you might want to calculate whether the potential earnings during TWP months plus any reduced benefits during EPE would actually exceed just waiting 14 months. Sometimes the math doesn't work out as well as it initially appears, especially when you factor in taxes and potential impacts on other benefits.

I'm in a very similar situation - 64 and on SSDI with about 18 months until my FRA. What really helped me was creating a spreadsheet to track everything before I even started considering work. I included columns for TWP months used, earnings, benefit amounts, and estimated taxes. One thing I learned from my research is that you can actually check how many TWP months you've already used (if any) by calling SSA or checking online - many people don't realize they might have used some in the past without knowing it. Also, if you do decide to move forward, consider starting with just a few hours per week to test both your physical capacity and how well you can manage the reporting requirements. The documentation advice from others here is spot-on. I keep a simple monthly log with dates worked, hours, gross pay, and copies of all communications with SSA. It's tedious but gives peace of mind. Have you looked into whether your profession offers any flexible arrangements that might make the work more sustainable for your health condition?