No. Not without applying for other benefits at the same time.
If your health is the reason you are thinking about early retirement, you should usually apply for disability and other benefits along with Social Security retirement.
I have been seeing this exact situation for over 30 years at the Law Offices of Eric A. Shore. People in their early 60s call us every week saying the same thing.
“I cannot keep working. I think I have to take Social Security.”
Here is what most people do not realize.
If Your Health Is the Reason You Are Applying at 62, You Should Apply for Everything
This is not doing something wrong. This is how the system is designed to work when a medical condition interferes with your ability to work.
If you are stopping work because of your health, applying for only early retirement often leaves money on the table.
What You Should Apply For at the Same Time
1. FMLA if you are still working
FMLA can protect your job and your health insurance while you deal with your medical issues.
2. Short term disability if it is available
This can replace income while you are out of work.
3. Long term disability
This is critical. Many employer policies require you to apply while you are still employed or shortly after you stop working. If you wait too long, you can lose the right to apply entirely. I have seen that mistake cost people years of income.
More information here:
https://www.1800CANTWORK.com/long-term-disability-lawyer
4. New Jersey temporary disability if you live in NJ
New Jersey has one of the strongest state disability programs in the country. Many people never apply simply because no one tells them they can.
5. Social Security Disability
If you are over 62, the standard is lower. Social Security looks at your age, your health, and your work history together. Legitimate claims are often easier to prove at this stage of life.
6. Early Social Security retirement if you need income
Early retirement can be used as a bridge. If Social Security later finds you disabled, your benefit is increased and your full retirement amount is protected.
One Important Warning
I would never tell someone to apply for disability unless a real medical condition interferes with their ability to work. Disability is not for people who are simply unhappy at work.
But if your health is the reason you are stopping work, then you should protect yourself and apply for every benefit you earned.
The Bottom Line
The biggest financial mistakes I see happen when people apply for Social Security at 62 without understanding how disability and employment benefits fit together.
Before you file, make sure you understand the full picture.
For Social Security Disability help, start here:
https://www.1800CANTWORK.com/social-security-disability-lawyer
