Social Security confusion: Disability, survivor benefits, and part-time work income - when should I switch to retirement?

When you reach your Full Retirement Age (FRA), which is 67 for someone your age, your disability benefits automatically convert to retirement benefits at the same amount. So there's no separate 'application' needed for that part. As for maximizing your benefits, here's what you need to know:1. At 62, taking retirement early would permanently reduce your benefit amount by about 30% compared to waiting until FRA.2. For survivor benefits, you can take them as early as 60 (which you're already doing), but they're reduced if taken before your FRA.3. Your best strategy depends on which benefit is higher. If your own retirement benefit would eventually be higher than your survivor benefit, you might want to let your own benefit grow (up to age 70) while collecting survivors now.The SSA will NOT automatically give you the highest benefit - you must apply for different benefits. Also, be careful with your work income - at 62, the earnings limit for 2025 will be around $22,320/year before they start reducing your benefits.

Thank you for such a clear explanation! So my disability will just switch over at 67 automatically? That's a relief. Since I'm already getting reduced survivor benefits, would it make sense to switch to my own retirement at 70? The SSA statements I get show my age 70 benefit would be about $400 more monthly than what I get now combined. Is there a way to figure out if my husband's benefit at my FRA would be higher than my own at 70?

my mom was in kinda the same boat, she ended up waiting til 67 and got a higher amount. but tbh the $$$ you lose by waiting mite be more than the extra you'd eventually get, something to think about

This is actually a misconception. For survivor benefits, you can switch between your own and your late spouse's at any point. The ideal strategy is often to take the lower benefit early (reduced) and switch to the higher benefit after letting it grow to maximum. The break-even point is typically around age 80 - if you expect to live beyond that, waiting to maximize the higher benefit often pays off significantly in the long run.

I worked at SSA for 31 years before retiring, and your situation is actually fairly common. Here's what you need to understand:1. Your SSDI will automatically convert to retirement benefits at your FRA (67)2. You have separate entitlements - your own record and your survivor benefit from your husband3. You are wise to consider maximizing the higher of the two benefitsWhat I would recommend: Request an appointment with a Technical Expert at your local office (not just any claims representative). They can do a detailed calculation showing you what your survivor benefit would be at your FRA vs. what your own retirement would be at 70. Once you have those two exact numbers, you can make an informed decision.And regarding your part-time work: Since you're on SSDI, be very careful about the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limits. For 2025, that's $1,550/month. At $1,600/month, you're exceeding that and potentially jeopardizing your disability benefits. I'd recommend keeping your earnings just under that threshold until you convert to retirement benefits.

Oh no! I didn't realize I was over the SGA limit! Will they terminate my disability immediately? I've been reporting my income faithfully on the wage reporting app, but nobody from SSA has contacted me about it. Should I reduce my hours right away?

Absolute NIGHTMARE dealing with these decisions!!! I faced something similar last year and every SSA rep gave me different info. Called 32 TIMES before getting someone who actually knew what they were talking about!!! The system is DESIGNED to confuse us and deny benefits we've earned!!

I had the same frustration trying to get through to SSA about my survivor benefits. After weeks of busy signals and disconnections, I found a service called Claimyr that got me through to a live agent in under 10 minutes. I was skeptical, but it actually worked! They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. Saved me so much time and stress when I was trying to figure out when to switch from survivor to retirement benefits.

im on ssdi too but i think your making more than allowd with that part time job? check that first b4 worry about retirment stuff

Correct - the 2025 SGA limit is $1,550/month, and the original poster mentioned earning $1,600/month. This could potentially trigger a cessation of disability benefits. However, there are work incentives like Trial Work Period months that might apply. OP should contact SSA immediately to understand their specific situation.

I just spoke with a friend who went through something similar. She said I should immediately request a BPQY (Benefits Planning Query) from Social Security to see exactly what my options are. Has anyone done this? Is it helpful? Also, should I be talking to the disability office or the retirement office about this? Last time I called the main number, they just transferred me back and forth for 45 minutes before disconnecting me. I'm so stressed about going over that SGA limit - I had no idea I was making too much!

A BPQY is indeed helpful, but what you really need is an appointment with a Technical Expert who specializes in retirement and survivors benefits. They can do a comparative calculation showing exactly what your benefits would be under different filing scenarios. As for the SGA issue, don't panic yet. You're likely still within your Trial Work Period (TWP), which gives you 9 months (not necessarily consecutive) where you can earn above SGA without affecting benefits. After calling the main number, specifically ask for an appointment with a Technical Expert at your local office - don't accept a regular claims representative for this complex situation.

just take whatever money u can get now. my uncle waited for higher benefits & died before he could get them. bird in hand ya know?

While that's a valid concern, it's also important to consider longevity. According to SSA statistics, the average 62-year-old woman today will live to approximately 85. If the poster expects to live that long (family history, health status, etc.), maximizing the higher benefit could result in tens of thousands more in lifetime benefits. It's a personal decision that depends on individual circumstances, health outlook, and financial needs.

I was in an almost identical situation last year! Here's what I learned after a LOT of research: the SSA does something called a

Thank you! That's super helpful to hear from someone who's been through it. Did your financial advisor help you figure out the numbers, or did you do that with someone at SSA? I'm wondering if I should pay for a consultation with a financial advisor who specializes in Social Security.

Based on the information provided, you have several options to consider:1. Continue receiving SSDI and survivor benefits until your FRA (67), then decide whether to take your own retirement benefit or an increased survivor benefit.2. If your own retirement benefit at age 70 would be significantly higher than your survivor benefit at FRA, consider this strategy: continue with your current benefits until FRA, then switch to the full survivor benefit at FRA, and finally switch to your own retirement benefit at 70.3. Regarding work: Since you're receiving SSDI, you need to be aware of both the SGA limits ($1,550/month in 2025) and the Trial Work Period (TWP) provisions. You get 9 TWP months where you can earn above SGA without affecting benefits, but once those are used, earning above SGA could terminate your disability benefits.Request a detailed benefits analysis from SSA that shows what your benefit amounts would be under different scenarios. This will give you the concrete numbers needed to make an informed decision.

This is exactly what I needed to understand! So I should ask for a \

SSA is DELIBERATELY making this confusing!!! I bet half the people reading this are leaving money on the table because the system is TOO COMPLICATED by design!!! My mother-in-law missed out on THOUSANDS because no one told her she could switch benefits!!

While the system is certainly complex, SSA does provide decision tools and calculators on their website to help with these choices. That said, you make a valid point that many people don't receive optimal benefits because they don't understand all their options. This is why it's crucial to speak with a Technical Expert at SSA who specializes in retirement and survivors benefits, rather than relying solely on the information provided by the first representative you reach.

I'm new to this community but facing a very similar situation, so thank you all for sharing your experiences! I'm 61 and recently started receiving SSDI after a workplace injury. My husband passed away last year, and I'm trying to understand when I should apply for survivor benefits and how that interacts with my disability benefits. Reading through this thread has been incredibly helpful - especially learning about the SGA limits and the importance of asking for a Technical Expert rather than just any representative. One question I have: if I'm already on SSDI, do I need to separately apply for survivor benefits, or will SSA automatically consider me for both? Also, has anyone here used the SSA's online calculators that were mentioned? Are they reliable for planning purposes, or should I only rely on what a Technical Expert tells me in person?

As someone who recently went through a similar maze with SSA, I wanted to add a few practical tips that helped me navigate this process. First, when you call for that Technical Expert appointment, ask them to send you a written summary of your options afterward - this prevents the "three different answers" problem you mentioned. Second, regarding the SGA limit concern, don't reduce your hours immediately without understanding your Trial Work Period status first. You may have unused TWP months that protect you. Third, I found it helpful to create a simple spreadsheet comparing the lifetime value of different benefit strategies - taking the lower benefit early vs waiting for the higher one. The break-even analysis really clarified things for me. Also, if your local office is booked 4 months out, try calling other offices in your region - they can often handle your case remotely. Finally, document everything! Keep records of every call, every representative you speak with, and every piece of advice given. This will be invaluable when you're trying to piece together your optimal strategy. The system is complex, but with persistence and the right expert guidance, you can maximize your benefits. Hang in there!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm finding this thread incredibly valuable! I'm 64 and currently receiving SSDI after a back injury two years ago. My situation is a bit different - I'm unmarried and don't have survivor benefits to consider, but I'm also working part-time (carefully staying under the SGA limit after reading these comments!). What I'm wondering is: since my disability will automatically convert to retirement benefits at my FRA (67), should I be doing anything now to prepare for that transition? Will the amount stay exactly the same, or could there be changes? Also, for those who mentioned the Trial Work Period - does SSA track those months automatically, or do I need to keep my own records? I've been reporting my earnings through their app, but I want to make sure I'm not accidentally using up TWP months without realizing it. The advice about requesting a Technical Expert appointment is gold - I've been getting the runaround from regular representatives too. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and expertise!