I wanted to share some additional perspective on this situation. One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet is the importance of timing if your husband does decide to delay his benefits. Since he's already 62 and has health issues, you might want to consider a middle-ground approach - having him file at his Full Retirement Age (66 or 67 depending on his birth year) rather than waiting until 70. This would give you both some security of receiving benefits sooner while still providing a decent survivor benefit for you later. Also, keep in mind that if your husband is still working part-time, his earnings could affect his Social Security benefits if he files before his FRA due to the earnings test. But once he reaches FRA, he can earn any amount without it affecting his benefits. Another consideration - if your husband's health deteriorates significantly, he might potentially qualify for SSDI himself, which could change your overall strategy. SSDI recipients can receive their full benefit amount regardless of age, without the early filing reductions that apply to regular retirement benefits. Given the complexity of your situation with the age difference, health concerns, and your existing SSDI, it really might be worth consulting with someone who specializes in Social Security optimization to run different scenarios and see what works best for your specific circumstances.

I wanted to add something that might be helpful regarding the conversion from SSDI to retirement benefits. When your SSDI automatically converts to retirement benefits at your Full Retirement Age (67), the amount stays exactly the same, but there's one small advantage - you'll no longer be subject to SSDI's continuing disability reviews. Those reviews can be stressful even when your condition is clearly permanent, so that's one less thing to worry about. Also, regarding getting accurate information from SSA - I've found that visiting a local Social Security office in person (with an appointment) often yields better results than calling. The representatives seem to have more time to look at your specific situation and pull up the relevant rules. Just make sure to bring all relevant documents and maybe even write down your questions beforehand. One more thing about survivor benefits timing - if something does happen to your husband before you reach age 60, you could potentially receive a one-time lump-sum death payment of $255, and if you're caring for his child under 16 (or disabled), you might be eligible for survivor benefits earlier. But given your ages, this probably doesn't apply to your situation.

One thing I don't see mentioned yet - make sure you keep checking your mail for any correspondence from SSA even after you get your first payment! Sometimes they send follow-up letters requesting additional documentation or notifying you of benefit adjustments that could affect future payments. I missed an important letter last year that was buried in my mailbox and it caused a temporary hold on my benefits. Also, once you start receiving payments, you can set up text alerts through your MySSA account to get notified when payments are deposited. Really helpful for peace of mind, especially in those first few months when you're still getting used to the new payment schedule.

Just wanted to add - if you're worried about the wait time, you can also check your bank account setup in MySSA to make sure your direct deposit info is correct. I had a friend who waited an extra 2 weeks because there was a typo in her routing number! Also, don't panic if your first payment amount looks different than what you expected - sometimes they do partial payments or adjustments in the first month and then it evens out. The key is just staying on top of your MySSA account and watching for any messages from them. Good luck with your retirement!

To clarify a key point that comes up frequently in these discussions: the taxation of Social Security benefits and the earnings test are two completely separate concepts: 1. The earnings test only applies BEFORE Full Retirement Age and can reduce your benefits if you earn over certain limits. 2. Taxation of benefits can apply at ANY age and is based on your combined income (AGI + nontaxable interest + half of SS benefits). Reaching FRA eliminates the earnings test, but doesn't impact taxation. Many beneficiaries confuse these two distinct policies. It's also worth noting that these tax thresholds ($25,000/$34,000 for singles) haven't been adjusted for inflation since they were introduced in 1984, so they affect more beneficiaries each year.

As someone who just went through this transition myself, I completely understand your confusion! The distinction between the earnings test and taxation is one of the most misunderstood aspects of Social Security. You're absolutely right that your benefits won't be reduced for working at FRA, but unfortunately the taxation is a separate issue entirely. Based on your numbers ($32K work income + ~$14,700 which is half your annual SS), you'll likely have around 85% of your Social Security benefits subject to federal income tax. One thing that helped me was requesting tax withholding directly from my Social Security payments using Form W-4V. Since you're still working and probably having taxes withheld from your paycheck, you might want to adjust your withholding there instead to account for the additional tax on your SS benefits. Also, since you're in accounting, you might already know this, but don't forget that you can still contribute to retirement accounts while working - even traditional IRAs if you meet the income requirements. This could help reduce your taxable income and potentially lower the amount of SS benefits subject to tax. The whole system definitely feels like a bait-and-switch sometimes, but at least you're still coming out ahead financially by continuing to work!

My sister didn't have insurance between retiring at 63 and Medicare at 65. She got a NASTY case of pneumonia that cost her $37,000!!! Sometimes the peace of mind is worth the premium...

I completely understand your confusion - I went through this exact same situation when I retired at 64! The good news is that everyone here is correct: Social Security does NOT require health insurance to receive your retirement benefits. They're completely separate systems. However, I'd strongly recommend exploring your options on healthcare.gov since your income will be lower. You might qualify for premium tax credits that could make coverage much more affordable than those $675/month quotes you're getting. Also, look into short-term medical plans or healthcare sharing ministries as potential bridge options until Medicare kicks in at 65. One last tip: when you do file for Social Security, ask them about your Medicare enrollment timeline. You'll want to understand your Initial Enrollment Period so you don't accidentally face late enrollment penalties later. Good luck with your application!

I'm so sorry to hear about your wife's diagnosis - this must be an incredibly overwhelming time for your family. As a newcomer to this community, I've been reading through all the detailed responses here and I'm struck by how much helpful information everyone has shared. I wanted to add one thing that might be useful based on what I've learned from a friend who went through something similar. When you do visit the SSA office, consider asking them to provide you with their direct phone number or a specific contact person for follow-up questions. Sometimes having a direct line to someone who is already familiar with your case can save hours of being transferred around or having to re-explain your situation if you need to call with questions during the processing period. Also, since this is such a significant life change for your family, you might want to ask SSA if they have any informational pamphlets or resources specifically about DAC survivor benefits that you can take home to review. Having written materials to reference later can be really helpful when you're processing a lot of new information during a stressful time. Your careful planning and research during such a difficult period shows incredible strength and love for your son. Wishing you and your family peace and sending support your way.

I'm so sorry to hear about your wife's diagnosis and what your family is facing during this incredibly difficult time. As someone new to this community, I've been reading through all the thoughtful and detailed responses here, and I'm amazed by the wealth of knowledge and genuine care everyone has shared. I wanted to add something that might be helpful - when you do schedule your appointment with SSA, consider asking if they can schedule it for earlier in the day or first thing in the morning if possible. From what I've heard from others who've dealt with SSA offices, the staff tends to be less rushed and more thorough earlier in the day, which could be really beneficial when you're dealing with something as important and potentially complex as a DAC benefit conversion. Also, since you mentioned your son has Down syndrome and this income is critical for his care, you might want to ask SSA about setting up automatic notifications or alerts on his account. Some offices can flag accounts to notify you of any changes or issues that might affect his benefits, which could give you peace of mind knowing you'll be informed if anything needs attention. Your dedication to planning ahead and ensuring your son's care continues seamlessly shows what an incredible father you are. The fact that you're handling all of this while also caring for your wife during her illness demonstrates remarkable strength. This community clearly has your back with all the detailed guidance they've provided. Sending you and your family thoughts of strength and peace during this challenging journey.