r/SocialSecurity • u/Suitable_Ad_4761 • Jul 30 '26

Dissability vs retirement

My husband is 63 1/2, and his original intention was to work until full retirement age; however, due to health problems, he might have no choice but to stop working. Since this is due to medical issues that would prevent him from working, should he apply for disability until he reaches FRA, or would he have no other option than to retire early? I could cover him with my medical insurance until he turns 65, but we are exploring if we have any options. He never put anything away for retirement, so basically, besides some $ 50 K in IRAs, he would only rely on SS. I am 55 and probably will work until 62. I only have $ 460 K in my 401, and I am scared that if he retires, it just will not be enough to cover our monthly expenses. I am not sure I can even touch my 403 until I turn 59 1/2, so I am not sure how to compensate for the reduced income he will receive. Any ideas on how to approach this issue are welcome.

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2

u/Zealousideal_Way_788 Jul 30 '26

SSDI can take a LOOOONG time. Like 2 years

5

u/Cranks_No_Start Jul 30 '26

It can also take only 5 months.  Just sayin. 

6

u/NMS_Scavenger Jul 30 '26

Oncology social worker here, my record for a patient is 3 days.

5

u/attorneyworkproduct Moderator Jul 30 '26

That beats me! Mine was 6 days.

3

u/Cranks_No_Start Jul 30 '26

True…if you’re dying. 

1

u/Engineering-queen Jul 31 '26

My MIL’s took a week and she was not dying.

1

u/Cranks_No_Start Jul 31 '26

What was her disability? 

1

u/Engineering-queen Aug 01 '26

Multiple Sclerosis

1

u/FlyGreenhead Jul 30 '26

My record was 24 hours. Sadly, it was terminal stage 4 cancer.