Confused about switching from SSI to SSDI at age 62 - better benefits or stay put until 67?

That sounds like one of those predatory companies trying to get you to pay them to "help" with a benefits switch. SSI and SSDI are completely different programs. You can't just "switch" from one to the other at age 62. SSDI requires work credits earned within a specific timeframe before becoming disabled. If you qualified for SSDI based on your work history, they would have put you on it initially instead of SSI. What MIGHT be happening is that you're approaching the age where you could claim early retirement benefits. At 62, if you have enough lifetime work credits (40 quarters), you could potentially get retirement benefits instead of SSI. But that's not SSDI - it's regular Social Security retirement.

i got THE SAME LETTER last year when i turned 62!!! tossed it in the trash. its just companies trying to get your $$$ to help with something you can do yourself for free. call the REAL social security office if you think you qualify for retirement now.

This is a common confusion point. Here's what's likely happening: If you worked enough before becoming disabled (40 quarters/10 years total over your lifetime), you may be eligible for Social Security retirement benefits starting at age 62. This is NOT the same as SSDI. SSI is needs-based with strict asset limits, while retirement benefits are based on your work history with no asset restrictions. At 62, your retirement benefit would be reduced (about 30% less than waiting until your full retirement age of 67). However, if your projected retirement benefit is higher than your current SSI payment, it might be worth switching. Some considerations: 1. Retirement benefits have NO asset limits (unlike SSI) 2. Medicare eligibility starts at 65, not immediately with early retirement 3. If your retirement benefit is less than your SSI amount, you might get a combination of both to reach the SSI threshold Call the actual SSA at 1-800-772-1213 to check your specific situation and projected benefit amounts. Don't pay any third-party service for this - SSA will tell you your options for free.

SSI is AWFUL with those asset limits!!! When my husband was on it we couldn't even save for car repairs without going over. $2000 limit is RIDICULOUS in 2025!!! If you CAN get on retirement instead, DO IT!!!

I help clients with these transitions regularly. If you've worked enough (40 quarters lifetime), switching to retirement at 62 could be advantageous even with the age reduction penalty, particularly because: 1. No asset/resource limit (unlike SSI's $2,000 limit) 2. No income restrictions or complicated reporting requirements 3. Typically higher monthly payments than SSI 4. More flexibility to live where you want (SSI can vary by state) However, there are medical insurance implications. With SSI, you likely have Medicaid. Early retirement beneficiaries don't get Medicare until 65, so you'd need to address that 3-year gap. Definitely contact SSA directly to review your work history and compare benefit amounts. A benefits planner at SSA can calculate whether your reduced retirement at 62 would exceed your current SSI payment. Many people don't realize they've worked enough quarters over their lifetime to qualify for retirement, even if they've been on SSI for years.

My sister had almost the exact same situation! She was on SSI for disability and then switched to retirement at 62. She's getting about $250 more per month now AND she can actually have a savings account for the first time in 10 years! That asset limit stuff is cruel. But watch out for the Medicare gap - she had to get Marketplace insurance for 3 years until Medicare kicked in at 65.

You should also check if your state has a Medicare Savings Program that might help with healthcare costs during that gap period. Some states have programs that can help low-income people who don't qualify for full Medicaid but need help with healthcare expenses. Another thing to consider is how switching might affect any food stamps or housing assistance if you currently receive those with SSI.

I hope you have better luck than I did trying to call Social Security to figure this out. I spent WEEKS trying to get through to someone who could give me straight answers about my options. Would call, wait 2+ hours, then get disconnected. Then finally get someone who didn't seem to know the answers. Super frustrating. I eventually used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to a real person at SSA in under 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU It was honestly worth it to not waste days trying to get through. The SSA agent I finally spoke with was able to calculate exactly what my retirement benefit would be compared to my SSI payment, which made the decision easy.

Yeah it's totally legit. My social worker actually recommended it. They don't handle your case or anything - they just connect you to the actual Social Security line but somehow get you through the queue faster. Then you talk directly with the real SSA people. Saved me a ton of time and frustration.

One more important thing to consider: If you switch to retirement benefits at 62, that reduced amount becomes your permanent benefit (except for COLA increases). You won't suddenly get a higher amount when you reach 67. So you need to weigh the advantage of switching sooner (no asset limits, potentially higher than SSI) against the disadvantage of locking in a permanently reduced retirement benefit. This is why getting your exact numbers from SSA is so important before deciding.

After dealing with SSI's ridiculous restrictions for years, I'd take a slightly lower permanent payment just to be FREE of those asset limits!!! Being able to save money without fear of losing benefits is worth its weight in gold. My mother-in-law chose early retirement at 62 instead of continuing disability benefits and says it's the best decision she ever made - the peace of mind was worth WAY more than the extra money would have been.