Should I claim reduced SS at 62 while husband on SSDI - questions about survivor benefits at FRA
Need advice on my Social Security strategy! My husband (59) has been receiving SSDI ($2,850) since 2020 after his accident. I had to quit my job in 2021 at 55 to care for him full-time, which wasn't in our retirement plans. My FRA benefit would be around $1,875, but I'm considering taking it early at 62 (reduced to about $1,320). My thinking is I could invest this money now to help build our savings since I had to stop working 10 years earlier than planned. I understand that when he passes away, I should be able to switch to survivor benefits based on his current SSDI amount when I reach my FRA. Health insurance isn't a concern as we're covered through his former employer's disability plan. Am I understanding the survivor benefit rules correctly? Would this approach make sense given our situation? Just want to make sure I'm not missing something important!
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Zainab Khalil
Your strategy makes sense in many ways, but there's one thing to consider - when you claim your own retirement benefit at 62, it will be permanently reduced to about 70% of your FRA amount. However, your understanding about survivor benefits is correct - when your husband passes, you can switch to survivor benefits based on his SSDI amount (100% of his benefit) once you reach your FRA. Before FRA, survivor benefits would be reduced. Also, remember that once you start receiving benefits, you'll be subject to the earnings test if you decide to work before reaching your FRA - in 2025 you can only earn $22,320 without having benefits withheld.
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Miguel Ortiz
•Thanks for confirming! I don't plan to return to work, so the earnings test shouldn't be an issue. I'm comfortable with the permanent reduction to my own benefit since I'll likely switch to the higher survivor benefit eventually. Do you know if there's any downside to my plan that I'm not seeing?
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QuantumQuest
im in a similar situation!! took mine at 62 (im 64 now) while my wife is on SSDI. its worked ok for us so far. we put some in savings every month. just make sure u understand that once ur husband passes u cant get BOTH benefits, only the higher one. good luck!!
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Miguel Ortiz
•Thank you for sharing your experience! Yes, I understand I can only get one benefit - I'd switch to the survivor benefit since it would be higher. It's reassuring to hear from someone who's actually doing something similar!
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Connor Murphy
Your understanding is partly correct, but I want to clarify a few points about Social Security rules: 1. When you take benefits at 62, they'll be reduced by about 30% from your FRA amount permanently 2. If your husband passes away before you reach your FRA, and you decide to take survivor benefits early, they will also be reduced 3. If you wait until your FRA to claim survivor benefits after his passing, you'll receive 100% of his SSDI benefit 4. The ability to switch from your retirement to survivor benefits (or vice versa) is a valuable planning tool Given that you're investing the money and not planning to work, your strategy seems reasonable. Just be aware that inflation will affect the purchasing power of those reduced benefits over time.
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Miguel Ortiz
•Thank you for the detailed explanation! This is exactly what I was hoping to understand. If he passes before I reach FRA, I'll likely just continue with my reduced benefit until I reach FRA, then switch to the full survivor benefit. I appreciate the point about inflation - I'll make sure my investment strategy accounts for that.
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Yara Haddad
Why not just wait till your FRA? The reduction at 62 is HUGE and permanent! My sister took SS early and COMPLETELY regrets it now. Just saying...
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Miguel Ortiz
•I appreciate the concern, but our situation is a bit different. Since I had to stop working 10 years earlier than planned, we've been drawing down our savings faster than expected. Getting some income now, even reduced, would help preserve our remaining nest egg. Plus, if my husband passes away, I can switch to his higher benefit at my FRA.
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Keisha Robinson
Have you run the numbers to see what makes more financial sense? Taking benefits at 62 means a 30% permanent reduction, but you get 5 years of payments before FRA. It's approximately a break-even at around age 78-80 depending on your exact situation. If longevity runs in your family, waiting might be better. Also consider tax implications - if you invest the SS money, how will the investment gains be taxed compared to potential taxation of SS benefits? These factors could impact your decision.
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Miguel Ortiz
•Those are excellent points I hadn't fully considered. My family doesn't have great longevity (parents and grandparents all passed in their mid-70s), so that's part of why I'm leaning toward taking it early. I'll definitely look more closely at the tax implications of my investment plan though! Thank you for that suggestion.
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Paolo Conti
Trying to deal with SSA has been IMPOSSIBLE lately!!! I've been trying to figure out a similar situation for WEEKS but can't get through to anyone! Been on hold for HOURS and either get disconnected or told to call back later. How is anyone supposed to make informed decisions when you can't even talk to someone?!?! The whole system is BROKEN!!
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Amina Sow
•I had the same problem trying to get someone on the phone at SSA. I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to a live person in under 20 minutes instead of waiting for hours. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. I was skeptical at first but it actually worked and I got all my questions answered. Might be worth trying if you're still having trouble getting through.
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Zainab Khalil
One more important thing to consider: if your husband's health is declining, taking your benefit at 62 could be very strategic. When he passes, you'll be able to switch to the higher survivor benefit. This is one of the few situations where the "claim early" strategy can make a lot of sense. Also, make sure you're considering the income gap between now and age 62 - without your work income or any SS benefits, how are you covering expenses?
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Miguel Ortiz
•Yes, that's exactly what I'm thinking. His health has been deteriorating, which is why I'm planning this way. We're currently using some savings and a small pension from his former employer to cover expenses, but it's definitely tight. The SS at 62 would help ease that pressure considerably.
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QuantumQuest
wait i just realized my situation isnt the same as yours cause my wife gets SSI not SSDI sorry bout that! but i still think taking it early makes sense with what ur saying
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Connor Murphy
•Just to clarify for anyone reading this thread: SSI (Supplemental Security Income) and SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) have different rules regarding survivor benefits. SSI is needs-based and doesn't generate survivor benefits, while SSDI is based on work credits and does provide survivor benefits. This is why it's so important to understand which benefit type you're dealing with when making these decisions.
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Yara Haddad
My friend said she called and the SS people told her she should ALWAYS wait until FRA if possible. Are you SURE this is the right move?
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Keisha Robinson
•There's no one-size-fits-all answer with Social Security. While waiting until FRA maximizes that particular benefit, personal circumstances matter enormously. In the original poster's case, with a spouse on SSDI, limited working years, and the option to switch to survivor benefits later, taking reduced benefits at 62 may align with their specific financial situation and goals. This is why personalized analysis is so important rather than general rules of thumb.
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