Can SSDI recipient switch to ex-spouse's Social Security at FRA instead of own retirement benefits?
I'm trying to help my sister figure out her options as she approaches her Full Retirement Age. She's currently 56 and receiving SSDI. From what we understand, when she turns 67 (her FRA), her disability benefits will automatically convert to retirement benefits. Here's what we're wondering: since she was married to her ex for 17 years before divorcing, could she choose NOT to take her own retirement at 67 and instead claim 50% of her ex-husband's benefit? He's older and will definitely have filed by then. This would potentially allow her to delay claiming her own retirement benefit until 70 to maximize it. Or does being on SSDI already lock her into taking her own retirement at 67? The difference could be significant for her long-term financial security. Thanks for any insights!
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Liam Sullivan
This is an excellent question about coordinating SSDI and divorced spouse benefits! Yes, your sister CAN switch from SSDI to divorced spouse benefits at her FRA if that would be more advantageous. Here's how it works: When SSDI converts to retirement at FRA, she has the OPTION to file a restricted application for just divorced spouse benefits (assuming her ex has filed or is at least 62). She could then collect 50% of his FRA amount while letting her own retirement benefit grow 8% per year until 70. The key requirements: marriage lasted 10+ years (hers was 17), she's currently unmarried, and her ex is entitled to benefits (even if not yet claiming).
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Mei Wong
•That's such a relief! We were worried she'd be forced onto her own record at 67 with no choice. So if I understand correctly, she'll need to specifically request this switch to ex-spouse benefits when she approaches 67, right? It won't happen automatically? How far in advance should she contact SSA about this plan?
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Amara Okafor
NO NO NO the other person is WRONG!! If ur sister is on SSDI she is ALREADY recieving her retirment benefit just early because of disability!!! She CANNOT switch to ex spouse and then switch back, the rules changed in 2016 with teh Budget Act!!! Once your on your own record your STUCK there forever!!! My cousin tried to do this exact thing and SSA told her NO WAY. Don't give ur sister false hope!!!
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Giovanni Colombo
•My neighbor went through something similar and she could switch! But I think it matters when you were born - there's like a cutoff date for who can do this strategy. I think it's if you were born before 1954 or something? Does that apply to your sister?
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Fatima Al-Qasimi
The previous responses both contain partial truths, but let me clarify the complete picture. The ability to file a restricted application for spousal benefits while allowing your own to grow (file and suspend strategy) WAS largely eliminated by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015. HOWEVER, there's an exception for divorced spouse benefits that still exists. Your sister will need to have been born before January 2, 1954 to be eligible for this strategy. If she's 56 now in 2025, she was born in 1968/1969, which means she CANNOT file a restricted application at FRA. When she reaches 67, her SSDI will automatically convert to retirement benefits at the same amount. Her only option regarding the ex-spouse benefit would be if that amount (50% of his FRA benefit) is HIGHER than her own retirement benefit - in that case, she could switch to the higher amount. But she cannot take the ex-spouse benefit and then switch to her own later.
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Mei Wong
•Thank you for the detailed explanation. That makes sense but is disappointing. So essentially because she was born after 1954, when her SSDI converts at 67, she'll either stay on her own benefit OR take the ex-spouse benefit, whichever is higher - but can't do both sequentially. Is there any advantage to her delaying the application for the ex-spouse benefit until 70, or would that just mean missing out on 3 years of possibly higher payments?
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Fatima Al-Qasimi
No advantage to waiting beyond FRA for the divorced spouse benefit - it doesn't grow with delayed credits like your own retirement benefit does. If the ex-spouse benefit is higher, she should apply for it right at 67. If her own benefit is higher, she'll just continue with that when SSDI converts automatically.
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StarStrider
•This is why the SS system is so frustrating!!!! All these complicated rules and they keep changing them. I spent 4 days trying to get through to someone at SSA last month to ask about similar benefit questions and kept getting disconnected or waiting for hours. Finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an agent in under 30 minutes. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU - saved me so much frustration. Might be worth checking out when your sister is ready to sort through all this!
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Dylan Campbell
does she get Medicare with SSDI now? thats important 2 because if she switches benefits she needs to make sure medicare continues
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Mei Wong
•Yes, she does have Medicare through her SSDI. That's a good point - we'd need to make sure that continues regardless of which benefit she ends up taking at 67.
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Sofia Torres
I was in your sister's exact situation! I was on SSDI, and when I hit FRA last year, I had an ex I was married to for 15 years. I spent HOURS researching this. The final answer is that she's already receiving her retirement benefit (SSDI is just early retirement for disability). At FRA, the benefit simply converts to retirement, but the amount stays the same. For the ex-spouse benefit: She CAN apply for that at FRA, but SSA will only give her the higher of the two amounts. Because of her birthdate, she can't get both or switch between them. I was super disappointed because I thought I had found a clever loophole! My suggestion: Have her create a my Social Security account online and look at her estimated benefit. Then try to find out her ex's benefit amount (this is the hard part) to compare the two. SSA can sometimes provide the ex's info for benefit calculation purposes.
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Amara Okafor
•YES!! this is excatly what I was saying!!! It's so annoying that people born before 1954 got all these LOOPHOLES and the rest of us don't!!! The whole system is UNFAIR and confusing on purpose.
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Mei Wong
Thank you all for the helpful responses! I've learned so much. To summarize what I understand now: Since my sister was born after 1954, when her SSDI converts to retirement at 67, she has to choose either her own benefit OR 50% of her ex's (whichever is higher) - she can't do one then switch to the other. I'll help her set up a my Social Security account to see her projected benefit amount and then we'll try to figure out what her ex might be receiving to compare. I appreciate everyone taking the time to explain this complicated situation!
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Liam Sullivan
•One final tip - when her time comes to make this decision, have her schedule an appointment with SSA rather than just calling or walking in. An actual appointment gives her the best chance of speaking with someone knowledgeable about these complex scenarios involving SSDI conversion and divorced spouse benefits. And bring all documentation about the marriage and divorce to that appointment.
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