I'm actually going through a very similar situation right now! I've been on SSDI for about 2 years and my doctor recently cleared me to try part-time work. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - especially learning about the WIPA counselors and that work incentives hotline. One thing I'm curious about that I haven't seen mentioned: does anyone know if there are any restrictions on the TYPE of work you can do while on SSDI? Like, does it matter if it's completely different from what you did before your disability, or if it's something that accommodates your current limitations? I'm considering remote work options that would be much less physically demanding than my previous job. Also, has anyone had experience with employers who are familiar with disability benefits and actually supportive of keeping you under the earning limits?

Val, you're absolutely right that there are no restrictions on the TYPE of work you can do while on SSDI! The SSA only cares about your earnings, not whether it's similar to your previous job or completely different. Remote work is actually a great option because it often provides the flexibility you need to manage symptoms while staying productive. I've seen several people successfully transition to remote customer service, data entry, virtual assistance, or freelance work that accommodates their limitations. The key is finding something sustainable that you can do consistently without aggravating your condition. Regarding supportive employers - definitely look for companies that have disability inclusion programs or are "disability confident" employers. Some larger corporations like Microsoft, IBM, and many healthcare organizations have specific initiatives for hiring people with disabilities. When you do get hired, being upfront with HR about needing to stay under earning limits can actually work in your favor - many employers appreciate the transparency and are willing to work with your schedule. You might also want to check out remote job boards that specifically focus on flexible/disability-friendly positions. The combination of remote work flexibility plus understanding employers can make this transition so much smoother. Best of luck with your search - sounds like you're approaching this really thoughtfully!

As someone who's been through a similar journey, I want to echo what others have said - your SSDI benefits will continue indefinitely after EPE as long as you stay below SGA. I've been post-EPE for about 2 years now and still receive my full monthly payment and Medicare. One thing that really helped me was setting up a simple monthly budget tracker that includes not just my earnings, but also my disability-related expenses. This way I can see at a glance how close I am to SGA and what my actual "countable" income is after IRWEs. I'd also suggest getting any IRWE documentation from your doctors sooner rather than later - things like letters explaining why your orthopedic shoes and transportation accommodations are medically necessary. Having this paperwork ready makes the reporting process much smoother. The most important thing is to stay organized with your reporting and don't let the fear paralyze you from working. The work incentives are there to help us maintain some independence while keeping our safety net. You've got this!

I'm new to this community and just starting my SSDI journey after being approved last month for my neurological condition. This entire discussion has been incredibly eye-opening and reassuring! I had no idea about the Trial Work Period or Extended Period of Eligibility - my case worker barely mentioned these programs during my application process. Reading through everyone's experiences gives me so much hope that I might be able to return to some form of part-time work in the future without jeopardizing my benefits. Right now I'm focused on managing my condition, but knowing that there are these safety nets and work incentives available makes me feel less trapped by my disability. The IRWE information is completely new to me too - I have significant monthly costs for physical therapy and specialized medical equipment that I never realized might factor into earnings calculations. I'm going to start documenting everything now so I'm prepared if I decide to explore work options down the road. Thank you all for sharing your knowledge and real experiences. It's so valuable to hear from people who are actually living this rather than just reading policy manuals. This community seems like an amazing resource for navigating these complex systems!

This has been such a comprehensive and helpful discussion! As someone who's about to face a similar situation in the next year or two, I really appreciate everyone sharing their real-world experiences with the earnings limit while doing consulting work. One thing I wanted to add that might be helpful - I recently attended a Social Security workshop through our local senior center, and the presenter emphasized the importance of understanding the monthly earnings test in addition to the annual limit. For 2025, if you're under FRA the entire year, you can earn up to $1,993 per month without affecting your benefits, regardless of your annual total. This monthly test can sometimes be more favorable if your consulting income is uneven throughout the year. For example, if you have a big project that pays $15,000 in one month but then don't work for several months, the monthly test might protect more of your benefits than just looking at the annual limit. It's worth understanding both rules since SSA applies whichever is more favorable to you. Also, I wanted to second the advice about keeping meticulous records. Even if you're confident about staying under the limit, having detailed documentation makes everything so much smoother if questions ever come up. Thanks again to everyone who shared their insights - this is exactly the kind of practical guidance that's invaluable for people navigating these complex rules!

This discussion has been incredibly thorough and helpful! I'm in a very similar situation - started collecting at 65 while my FRA is 66+10 months, and I'm doing consulting work. Based on everything shared here, I now understand it's the net self-employment income (after business expenses but before taxes) that counts toward the $23,920 limit. One additional tip I'd like to share: I found it helpful to set up quarterly check-ins with myself to review my year-to-date earnings against the limit. This helps me make informed decisions about taking on new projects in the later part of the year. I use a simple formula: (Current net earnings ÷ months elapsed) × 12 to project my annual total, then factor in any known upcoming projects. Also, for anyone struggling to get through to SSA by phone, I can confirm that the online my Social Security account is much more reliable for basic reporting and checking benefit information. You can also use their online contact form for non-urgent questions, and they typically respond within a few days with written answers you can save for your records. Thanks to everyone who contributed their experiences here - this kind of peer-to-peer knowledge sharing is invaluable when dealing with these complex regulations!

One thing to keep in mind - when you get your first combined payment, it might be prorated if you're starting mid-month. Don't panic if the first deposit looks lower than expected! SSA typically pays benefits for the month after you're entitled, so if you became eligible in February, your first payment in March might only cover part of February. The following month should be the full combined amount. Also, if there are any delays in processing the spousal benefit portion, they'll send you retroactive payments to make up the difference.

Hugo, I'm in a very similar situation - just filed at 67 and my husband has been collecting for a while. One thing I learned that might help you: when SSA processes dual entitlement cases like yours, there can sometimes be a delay between when your own retirement benefit starts and when they add the spousal portion. Don't be surprised if your first few payments are just your own retirement amount, and then you get a lump sum adjustment later once they finish calculating the spousal benefit. This happened to me - took about 6 weeks for them to sort out the spousal calculation and then I got a nice retroactive payment to make up the difference. The combined amount has been coming as one deposit ever since, right on schedule based on my birthday. Keep your paperwork handy in case you need to follow up!

Just wanted to add one more consideration that might be relevant to your situation - if you're married, you'll also need to think about how your Medicare enrollment timing affects your spouse's HSA eligibility. If you're both covered under the same employer family plan and you enroll in Medicare Part A, your spouse can still contribute to an HSA as long as they're not Medicare-eligible themselves. However, if your spouse is also approaching 65, you'll want to coordinate your Medicare enrollment decisions to maximize both of your HSA contribution opportunities. My wife and I staggered our Medicare enrollments by a year specifically to extend our HSA contribution period, and it worked out really well for building up our healthcare nest egg.

I went through this exact situation two years ago and want to share what I learned. The key insight that saved me thousands was understanding that Medicare Part A enrollment is NOT automatic at 65 if you're still working - that's a common misconception. You have to actively decline it. Here's what I did: I contacted Social Security about 3 months before my 65th birthday to formally decline Medicare enrollment while I continued working. This allowed me to keep contributing to my HSA for another 2.5 years until I retired at 67.5. During that time, I maxed out my HSA contributions and even did catch-up contributions since I was over 55. One critical thing to watch out for: if you ever filed for Social Security retirement benefits (even if you suspended them), you'll be automatically enrolled in Part A at 65 regardless of your work status. This is a trap that catches many people off guard. My recommendation: Call Social Security soon to clarify your enrollment status and formally document your intention to delay Medicare while working. Get everything in writing! The peace of mind is worth it, and you'll avoid any costly mistakes with your HSA.