Will my husband lose Medicare when switching from SSI to Social Security retirement at 62?

Your husband won't lose Medicare when he transitions from SSI to retirement benefits. Medicare eligibility is tied to his disability status, not the specific benefit type he receives. Since he's been disabled and on SSI, he'll keep Medicare when he transitions to retirement benefits. However, the transition is NOT automatic - he needs to apply for retirement benefits. SSA doesn't automatically switch people. He should apply about 3 months before his 62nd birthday. Be aware that taking retirement at 62 means a permanently reduced benefit compared to his Full Retirement Age (FRA). Also, depending on your husband's work history, his retirement benefit might be higher than his current SSI. In some cases, he might even qualify for a spousal benefit based on your work record if that would be higher.

when my wife wnet from ssi to regular ss she DID loose her medicade for like 2 months!!! it was a nightmaer!! we had to pay for her meds out of pocket. call them and make SURE they dont mess it up like they did for us

The system is so confusing!! My brother went through something similar and the whole Medicare vs Medicaid thing is what really throws people off. SSI comes with Medicaid in most states, but the Medicare is from his disability qualification. Just make sure you keep all the paperwork straight!

Based on your situation, here's what will happen: 1. Your husband won't automatically switch to retirement benefits - he must apply about 3 months before turning 62 2. He will keep Medicare without interruption because his Medicare eligibility is based on his disability status (24 months after disability approval) 3. He may potentially receive a higher benefit, especially if he qualifies for a spousal benefit based on your earnings record 4. If he currently has Medicaid through SSI (different from Medicare), that might be affected when SSI ends I recommend scheduling an appointment with SSA to discuss all options. Look at potential benefit amounts and determine if taking reduced retirement at 62 makes the most financial sense in your situation.

I was in the same situation last year with my wife transitioning from SSI to retirement. Calling SSA was a nightmare - spent hours on hold only to be disconnected. I finally discovered Claimyr (claimyr.com) which got me connected to an actual SSA representative in under 20 minutes! They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU They helped us get everything straightened out so my wife kept her Medicare coverage during the transition. The rep even helped us determine whether spousal benefits would be better in our case. Definitely worth it to avoid the phone frustration.

make sure he applys for BOTH his own ss retirement AND a spousal benefit!!! my friend got an extra $230 a month from her husbands record even tho she worked to!! u have to ask for it they dont tell u about it!!!

Thank you all for the helpful responses! I've taken notes on everything. I'm going to help my husband apply for retirement benefits about 3 months before his birthday in June, and I'll specifically ask about spousal benefits too. I'll also double-check about the Medicare continuation - sounds like that should continue, but I want to make sure there's no gap in coverage. I might try that Claimyr service since it seems impossible to get through to SSA otherwise. The peace of mind would be worth it to make sure everything transitions smoothly. I appreciate everyone's help and experiences! This community has been so much more helpful than my hours of waiting on hold.

Just wanted to add a few key points that might help with your planning: 1. **Timing is crucial** - Apply exactly 3 months before his 62nd birthday in June. This ensures no gap in benefits and gives SSA time to process everything smoothly. 2. **Bring documentation** - When you apply (whether online or in person), have his SSI award letter, Medicare card, and your Social Security statement ready. This speeds up the process significantly. 3. **Consider waiting if possible** - While I understand you need the income, remember that taking retirement at 62 means a permanent reduction of about 25% compared to his full retirement age benefit. If his health allows and you can manage financially, even waiting a year or two could mean hundreds more per month for life. 4. **Medicare continuation is almost certain** - Since he qualified for Medicare through disability (not age), this should continue seamlessly. The 24-month waiting period he already completed won't reset. 5. **Get it in writing** - When you do speak with SSA, ask them to document in writing that his Medicare will continue during the transition. This can help if there are any computer glitches later. Good luck with everything! It sounds like you're being very proactive about this transition.