SSDI transitioning to retirement benefits - Medicare coverage concerns for both spouses

Hi there! Let me help clarify some of these questions for you: 1. Yes, your husband's SSDI will automatically convert to retirement benefits when he reaches his Full Retirement Age (FRA), which is 67 for people born after 1960. 2. Good news - he will NOT lose his Medicare coverage when this conversion happens. Once you qualify for Medicare due to disability, you keep it even when SSDI converts to retirement benefits. 3. At 62, nothing automatically happens to his SSDI benefits. He'll continue receiving SSDI until his FRA, when it converts to regular retirement benefits at the same amount. 4. Be careful with working while on SSDI. The earnings limit is actually much lower - $1,550/month in 2025 for non-blind individuals (around $18,600/year). Earning above this is considered Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) and could jeopardize your SSDI. 5. Your benefits won't change when his convert. Your benefits will convert to retirement benefits when you reach your FRA.

My husband went thru this last year. They automatically switched him from disabilty to retirement when he hit full retirement age. Nothing changed with his Medicare at all and the amount stayed the same. Don't worry about losing your health insurance!

The transition from SSDI to retirement benefits is seamless - your husband won't need to do anything when he reaches Full Retirement Age. His benefit amount will remain the same, and most importantly, his Medicare will continue uninterrupted. Regarding your work situation - be very careful about the earnings limit. For SSDI in 2025, exceeding $1,550/month (non-blind) is considered Substantial Gainful Activity and could result in termination of benefits after a trial work period. This is much lower than the retirement earnings limit you mentioned. If you're considering returning to work, look into the Ticket to Work program through SSA. It provides work incentives and protections while testing your ability to work. One important note: Your SSDI benefit doesn't sound like it's based on your husband's record (that would be a spousal benefit). It's likely based on your own work history before becoming a stay-at-home parent. If your SSDI is on your own record, returning to work could potentially increase your future retirement benefit if you earn more than in your previous earning years.

DONT GO BACK TO WORK!!!! I tried this last year and they TERMINATED my benefits completely!!! It took MONTHS to get them back and I almost lost my house. The SSA doesn't tell you that if you make over the limit they just cut you off!!! Its a TRAP!!!!

has anyone actually CALLED the ssa lately?? i've been trying for WEEKS to ask about this exact thing and can never get through!!! so frustrating!!!

Let me clarify some key points about SSDI and work: 1. SSDI automatically converts to retirement benefits at Full Retirement Age (FRA) - there's no gap in Medicare coverage 2. Your husband can't apply for "early retirement" at 62 while receiving SSDI - he'll simply continue receiving SSDI until FRA 3. Work limitations: - SSDI: $1,550/month earnings limit in 2025 (after completing Trial Work Period) - Retirement: $22,560/year earnings limit in 2025 (if under FRA) 4. If you return to work on SSDI: - You get a 9-month Trial Work Period where you can earn any amount - After TWP, earning over $1,550/month is considered SGA and can stop benefits - Medicare continues for at least 93 months after TWP ends 5. Getting accurate information is crucial - the Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program offers free benefits counseling to help you understand all your options

Volunteering is generally safe and won't affect your SSDI benefits. SSA looks at earnings from work activity, not unpaid volunteer work. This can be a great way to stay active and even build skills if you're considering returning to work later. If you're interested in testing your ability to work, look into these SSA work incentives: 1. Trial Work Period (TWP): 9 months where you can earn any amount while keeping full SSDI benefits 2. Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE): 36 months where benefits are reinstated for months you earn below SGA 3. Expedited Reinstatement: If benefits end due to work, you can request reinstatement within 5 years without a new application Also, if you do work and pay Social Security taxes for additional years, you might increase your future retirement benefit amount if those earnings replace lower-earning years in your calculation.

Thank you all SO much for the helpful information! I clearly had some major misconceptions about how all this works. I'm going to: 1. Look into volunteering first before jumping into paid work 2. Contact the WIPA program to understand my specific situation better 3. Research the Ticket to Work program 4. Rest easy knowing my husband's Medicare won't disappear when his SSDI converts It's such a relief to understand this better now. The anxiety of potentially losing healthcare coverage was really weighing on me. I appreciate everyone taking the time to explain things so clearly!