Should I apply for SSDI with chronic back problem at 62, or just take early Social Security retirement?

with SS retiremnent at 62 youll get 30% less forever then if u waited til your full retirement age. but SSDI pays you your FULL retirement amount even tho ur only 62! so ya big difference! but getting approved is HARD. they deny like 70% of everybody first time they apply. might take 2 years with appeals and hearings and all that.

Yes, you can definitely apply for both SSDI and early retirement simultaneously, which is often a good strategy in your situation. If you're approved for SSDI, SSA will adjust your benefits to the higher amount. Just be aware that taking early retirement won't affect your SSDI eligibility, but it does impact how your benefits are calculated if approved. At 62, SSDI would be approximately equivalent to your full retirement age benefit (which would be what you'd get at around 67). The difference can be substantial - possibly hundreds of dollars monthly. Given your consistent medical history with the back issues and the fact that you've already reduced to part-time work due to your condition, you have elements of a potentially successful claim. I would suggest: 1. Apply for early retirement to get some income flowing 2. Simultaneously apply for SSDI 3. Gather comprehensive medical documentation going back several years 4. Be prepared for a potentially lengthy process

Working part-time doesn't automatically disqualify you from SSDI, but there are earnings limits you need to be aware of. In 2025, the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit is $1,550/month for non-blind individuals. If you're earning less than that amount, you can still potentially qualify for SSDI. Based on my experience helping my husband through this process last year, I strongly recommend applying for SSDI now. At 62, your case actually has some advantages: 1. You have a long work history (which builds credibility) 2. You've already reduced hours (showing the condition impacts work) 3. You have an established medical history with the condition 4. Your doctor is supportive (medical support is crucial) Yes, the SSDI process can be frustrating, but considering the difference in benefit amounts, it's absolutely worth trying. My husband was 61 when approved and the difference was about $870/month compared to taking early retirement!

I feel you on the back pain! Been there. My neighbor just got approved for disability at 63 and she said SSA actually processed her claim faster BECAUSE she was close to retirement age. But yeah definitely do both applications!

My experience with SSDI was AWFUL!!! Applied when I was 59 with documented heart failure and got DENIED TWICE before finally winning at the hearing level. Took 26 MONTHS from first application to approval!! The whole system is designed to wear you down until you give up. The so-called "medical reviews" are a JOKE - some doctor who never even examined me spent 5 minutes looking at my file and decided I could work!!! If you do apply for SSDI, be prepared for a FIGHT. SSA assumes everyone is lying. Document EVERYTHING. Get statements from co-workers about how your condition affects your work. Keep a daily pain journal. AND GET A DISABILITY ATTORNEY - they only get paid if you win, and they know all the tricks SSA uses to deny claims.

My sister works for SSA and she says back problems are really common disability claims. The big thing is having OBJECTIVE evidence like MRIs or X-rays that show actual damage, not just your word that you're in pain. Do you have imaging that shows disc degeneration?

I worked at an accounting firm with someone in a similar situation - she struggled for months trying to get through to SSA to even start her disability application. She finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an SSA agent quickly. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU She said it saved her hours of frustration and hold times. Once she got through and filed the application, she was able to check status and ask questions much more efficiently. Might be worth looking into since timing matters in your situation.

wait I'm confused... when you get SSDI do you automatically switch to regular social security when you hit full retirement age?

If your earnings are currently under the SGA limit ($1,550/month in 2025), you should absolutely apply for SSDI. The financial difference is substantial: 1. Early retirement at 62: You'd receive approximately 70% of your full retirement benefit 2. SSDI at 62: You'd receive 100% of your full retirement benefit For someone with average earnings history, this could mean a difference of $700-900/month. That adds up to over $8,400/year! Yes, the application process can be challenging, but with your documented medical history and doctor's support, you have a reasonable case. I'd recommend applying online for both - start with retirement benefits to get some income flowing, then immediately apply for SSDI as well.

i no i said it before but seruously apply for both! my uncle got early retirement at 62 then SSDI got approved like 8 months later and they paid him all the backpay from when he first applyed!!! he got like $7000 in one payment! dont miss out on that!!

Thank you all for the incredibly helpful responses! I've decided to apply for both early retirement and SSDI. I've gathered all my medical records going back to 2019, created a list of all treatments I've tried, and my doctor has provided a detailed statement about my limitations. I've also started tracking my daily pain levels and how they affect my work capacity. I'm still nervous about the SSDI process, but the potential difference in benefits makes it worth trying. I'll update this thread once I hear something from SSA. Thanks again for all the guidance!