Many people wonder what happens to their Social Security Disability benefits when they reach retirement age. Do they stop receiving disability benefits? Do disability benefits continue? Are they converted to Social Security Retirement benefits? It can be confusing to understand how the process works and individuals who receive SSDI benefits want to ensure that they are not left without an income once they reach retirement age. If you are wondering what happens to your SSDI benefits once you reach age 65, the following information will help.
The Benefits Do Convert
The first thing you need to understand when receiving SSDI benefits is that the benefits do convert from Social Security Disability benefits to Social Security Retirement benefits once you reach retirement age. Nothing will change. You will continue to receive a monthly check and you do not need to do anything in order to receive your benefits. The SSA will simply change your disability benefit to a retirement benefit once you have reached full retirement age. When you reach that age, however, can vary depending on which year you were born in.
It’s Not Automatically 65
Many people think that their SSDI benefits will automatically change to retirement benefits when they reach age 65. Some of these people are correct, but only those who were born before 1937. Anyone born after 1937 does not reach full retirement age at exactly 65 years of age so their SSDI benefits will not change to retirement benefits as soon as they turn 65 years old. When will these benefits convert? It depends on the year you were born. The following outline will help you understand at what age your SSDI benefits will convert to retirement benefits:
- 1938 – 65 years and 2 months
- 1939 – 65 years and 4 months
- 1940 – 65 years and 6 months
- 1941 – 65 years and 8 months
- 1942 – 65 years and 10 months
- 1943 through 1954 – 66 years
- 1955 – 66 years and 2 months
- 1956 – 66 years and 4 months
- 1957 – 66 years and 6 months
- 1958 – 66 years and 8 months
- 1959 – 66 years and 10 months
- 1960 and later – 67 years
By reviewing the age breakdown above, you can see at what age your Social Security Disability benefits will convert to Social Security Retirement benefits. Once you begin receiving Social Security Retirement benefits, you will receive your benefits without any limit on your earnings. This means that you will begin receiving your monthly benefits regardless of your income, unlike when these benefits were simply SSDI benefits. When your SSDI benefits convert to retirement benefits, the SSDI rules no longer apply to the benefits as the benefits now fall under the retirement guidelines.
Blog comments
In reply to As I had coverage through my by Libby (not verified)
Hi Libby,
Hi Libby,
You may not be penalized after 65 as you would be receiving Medicare due to age rather than disability.
I am 61 and have applied for
I am 61 and have applied for SSDI and still in the process, but because of financial reasons, I am thinking of filing for my social security benefit when I turn 62 in a few months. If I do file for my social security early retirement, let’s assume I am approved for the SSDI six months from now after I have been receiving early social security. My question is: How does that affect my benefits for disability? Will my ss amount convert to the Disability amount when I get approved or does it convert when I am at full retirement age of 66 and two months.
In reply to I am 61 and have applied for by Despina (not verified)
Hi Despina,
Hi Despina,
If you file for retirement early at age 62, you may have a penalty to your monthly benefits. However, if you apply for disability and are approved, you would have no such penalty. You may also want to speak with a disability advocate or attorney about your case, as they can help you with the application process and appeal your case, if needed. You can get in touch with one by filling out this form:
http://www.disability-benefits-help.org/form/free-disability-evaluation
Can I receive SSDI and
Can I receive SSDI and Workers Compensation and a Pension from off my job for 32 years.
In reply to Can I receive SSDI and by Jackie Johnson (not verified)
HI Jackie,
HI Jackie,
You may be able to, however it may be a good idea to go over your employer's Worker's Comp insurance policy regarding any stipulations about Social Security Disability benefits.
70% disability from VA. Can I
70% disability from VA. Can I convert my SS to SS disability??
In reply to 70% disability from VA. Can I by Gene (not verified)
Hi Eugene,
Hi Eugene,
Some applicants may able to receive SSDI and SSI at the same time.
Best Regards
Eric
Hi I've been on
Hi I've been on disability since I was about 44yr old. My husband died at 51. I'm 60 about to be 61. I collect widows benefits. I do not even get 2000.00 gross. WILL I still get these benefits at age 66 and older?
In reply to Hi I've been on by PATRICIA (not verified)
HI Patricia,
HI Patricia,
You may be able to receive both benefits after reaching retirement age.
hen I turned 62, I was moved
hen I turned 62, I was moved by SS from SSDI to early widow benefits, because the amount would be more and my husband had paid in all those years. When I turned 65, I was moved from Medicaid to Medicare. My medical coverage changed! I was no longer fully covered for medically expenses forcing me to take out a Med-gap policy and pay for prescription meds....WHY! My disability is still the same, but I now have all these medical expenses, which is making me about to go under financially.
In reply to hen I turned 62, I was moved by NITA AUSTIN (not verified)
Hi Nita,
Hi Nita,
You may want to contact your local SSA office and ask them about "extra help", as you may qualify based on income. You may have been moved from Medicaid to Medicare as you had become eligible for Medicare once you turned 65.
In reply to Hi Nita, by Bryan
Of course, I was switched to
Of course, I was switched to Medicare , when I turned 65. That was NOT my question. I still have the same disability I have had, since 2005. When I was on Medicaid ALL medical expenses were covered. But when switched to Medicare, that changed.....WHY is my question. I receive the same amount of SS check, but NOW have to pay out of pocket for things I did NOT have to pay for before, when I was on Medicaid. Now I have to pay $150 a month for med-gap policy, because medicare does NOT pay 100%. I am 12 years older and have not gotten healthier or richer in those 12 years! In fact, just the opposite!. I receive 1300 a month and I am having trouble making my bills and feeding myself! For 12 years my medically needs were provided 100%, which left me with more money to live on. NOW there's 150 med-gap and prescription drugs cost every month. Why am I not receiving what I had, when on Medicaid. I NOW receive what I would receive, if I had NO disability......WHAT HAPPENED TO MY DISABILITY...it did not go away, but treated by SS, as if it had. If I were healthy, I would have been working for the last 12 years and would still be working. I feel VERY discriminated against! I am treated the same as ANY retired person, when I am NOT the same...I HAVE A SS DISABILITY! I do receive Extra Help, but it ONLY pays for part of prescription drugs, which I have to take many, so more of my 1300 bucks is spent there, that I did not have to spend, when on Medicaid. When I was on Medicaid prescription drugs were paid for 100%....I am the same person...same disability.....so why do I not have the same coverage I had before.turning 65 and being placed on Medicare. And by the way, NO one ever told me this would be the case, when I turned 65, that I would have to spend out pocket for medical needs. SS as you know takes everything from you...all but 2,000 dollars of assets, so I have NO savings, or retirement plans. The 2000 was used over the last 12 years for car issues, etc. NONE of this makes any sense to me, because I am different, than the normal retired perso,.... I HAVE A DISABILITY!
In reply to Of course, I was switched to by NITA AUSTIN (not verified)
Hi Nita,
Hi Nita,
If your benefit amount had gone up when you had started receiving benefits, you may have started to receive enough income for your state to consider you ineligible for Medicaid. You may want to contact the office in your state that handles Medicaid.
In reply to Hi Nita, by Bryan
NO nothing changed....I
NO nothing changed....I received 13,000 the whole time....and that did not change, when I turned 65.....I received 1300, when on Medicaid! And everything was covered 100%!....I have gone around and around with the SS and Medicaid office in Kansas and everyone just says, when you turn 65 you ARE TREATED JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER RETIRED PERSON.....how can that be, when I am SSDisabld!
In reply to NO nothing changed....I by NITA AUSTIN (not verified)
Hi Nita,
Hi Nita,
I'm sorry, we are not affiliated with the federal government or the SSA, you may want to contact your local SSA office or the office in your state that handles Medicaid, as it is a state program and you would be subject to those rules regarding Medicaid eligibility.
My sister is my payee for my
My sister is my payee for my social security disability. It was court ordered at the beginning of my disability payments. My sister is a Jehovah Witness and all this time tried to empose her beliefs on me. I want to get my own check. I will be turning 66 in Nov 2017 at that time I will begin receiving regular social security benifitts. Will I still have to have a payee then. Are do I have to fill out paperwork asking to be my own payee. Please advise what I need to do. I WANT TO HANDLE MY OWN MONEY I WORKED HARD FOR. !!!!
In reply to My sister is my payee for my by Judy (not verified)
HI Judy,
HI Judy,
If your benefits are not being used for your benefit, you may want to contact the SSA regarding this as they can have someone re-assigned as your payee.
I'm 61 and on ssdi and
I'm 61 and on ssdi and ssi. Will I still receive ssi when payments switch to ss at the retirement age for me?
In reply to I'm 61 and on ssdi and by Elaine (not verified)
Hi Elaine,
Hi Elaine,
That may be the case, however it would depend on how much money you would be entitled to when you start receiving retirement benefits.
In reply to I'm 61 and on ssdi and by Elaine (not verified)
When you are which to
When you are which to Medicare, your medical expenses are NO longer fully covered. Medicare only pays 80%, so you will have to get a med-gap policy for around 150 dollars a month and your prescription drugs will NO longer be totally paid for, I know, because this JUST happened be, I receive the same amount of money, but I have MORE out of pocket expense, because Medicare does NOT cover totally, like Medicaid does!
In reply to When you are which to by NITA AUSTIN (not verified)
Hi Nita,
Hi Nita,
Thanks for sharing! hang in there.
I receive social security
I receive social security disability right now but am going to apply for retirement at age 62 will I just get regular social security
In reply to I receive social security by Sharon (not verified)
HI Sharon,
HI Sharon,
Yes, you would start receiving Social Security Retirement benefits if you elect to retire early.
In reply to I receive social security by Sharon (not verified)
If you are receiving Medicaid
If you are receiving Medicaid and you switch to being retired, your disability is NO longer recognize and Medicare does NOT pay 100% for medical, like Medicaid does, nor does Medicare pay for prescription meds. When turned 65, I no longer had full coverage, so have a lot of out of pocket expenses...Med.-Gap policy for one and have to pay for meds.
In reply to If you are receiving Medicaid by NITA AUSTIN (not verified)
Hi Nita,
Hi Nita,
You may want to contact your local SSA office about this, you may be able to qualify for 'extra help' for prescriptions and co-pays. Additionally, your experience may be different as Medicaid rules vary by state.
They really need to change
They really need to change the name of SSI, it causes so much confusion with people thinking it social security, i see it here reading the comments. I was just awarded SS DISABILITY, but the process got confusing with the term SSI which i filled out forms for also. Great site you provide a good service.
In reply to They really need to change by Joe (not verified)
Thank you Joe! The process
Thank you Joe! The process can be very confusing at time.
Best Wishes,
Eric
Hi ! Florida does not
Hi ! Florida does not recognize fibromyalgia as a disability, I'm 58 years old and my husband is 64 years old he's retired is it OK that I go to Social Security and tell them that I want to retired at 62 and request to get some money from what my husband gets because I'm only entitled to $300 a month because I don't have sufficient points or instead can't SSI so to security supplement beside my husband abandoned me
In reply to Hi ! Florida does not by Maria (not verified)
Hi Maria,
Hi Maria,
I'm sorry to hear about that! You may be entitled to benefits based off of your spouse's work record in some circumstances.
Will my SS disability
Will my SS disability benefits increase when my LTD benefits stop at age 65?
In reply to Will my SS disability by Connie Fountain (not verified)
Hi Connie,
Hi Connie,
That may depend on your LTD policy, it may be a good idea to contact the organization that administers your LTD benefits and also you may want to contact the SSA, which you can do by calling 1-800-772-1213.
I am collecting SSDI as a
I am collecting SSDI as a disabled dependent of a deceased parent. I have worked for a few years and still qualify for SSDI. When it comes time for me to collect Social Security when I am in my 60's will my SSDI check be the same amount as now or recalculated to the amounts I earned while working part time?
In reply to I am collecting SSDI as a by Sarah (not verified)
Hi Sarah,
Hi Sarah,
SSDI benefits do convert from Social Security Disability benefits to Social Security Retirement benefits once you reach retirement age. Nothing will change. You will continue to receive a monthly check and you do not need to do anything in order to receive your benefits. The SSA will simply change your disability benefit to a retirement benefit once you have reached full retirement age. When you reach that age, however, can vary depending on which year you were born in.
Best Regards,
Eric
My husband and I are both on
My husband and I are both on Social Security.Can I draw off his while he is living?His is twice the amount of mine.
In reply to My husband and I are both on by JoAnn Black (not verified)
Hi JoAnn,
Hi JoAnn,
You may be able to, under certain circumstances. You may want to contact the SSA about your eligibiility to do so.
If I recieve SSI now, and
If I recieve SSI now, and have not worked the full credits does my monthly payments become to The SSA retirement benefits when I turn 65
In reply to If I recieve SSI now, and by shirley (not verified)
Hi Shirley,
Hi Shirley,
They would in fact convert to retirement benefits.
Best Regards,
Eric
I am 61 and on disability,
I am 61 and on disability, will I get social security when I turn 62 and not ssi anymore?
My husband is currently
My husband is currently drawing disability social security and I am drawing reg due to having to quit work to take care of him. We both turn 66 in September and that is full retirement age for us. I was told I could draw more off his work history when we get full retirement age. Is this a possibility?
In reply to My husband is currently by Gwen (not verified)
Hi Gwen,
Hi Gwen,
You may be able to.
Best of Luck,
Eric
I am on ss disability and
I am on ss disability and just started a little part time job. I notified ss and they said there's a nine month trial period with nothing happening with my ssd as long as I don't make over $1170 a month. How often does ss stop disability payments when trying to see if you can work part time? It's my understanding at age 66 I will draw the same amount on my regular ss as I am joe?
In reply to I am on ss disability and by Sharon (not verified)
Hi there,
Hi there,
If you're working park time, you may not lose your benefits depending on how much you make. You can find some more information about the trial period here:
http://www.disability-benefits-help.org/blog/trial-work-period-rules
My dad just turned 62 he was
My dad just turned 62 he was receiving SSI and we just got a letter thAt he was switched to ssdi, and his check will be garnished 220 a month for child support can they do that when he is disabled that's his only means of income
In reply to My dad just turned 62 he was by Ammie (not verified)
Hi there,
Hi there,
Family varies by state, so I really could not say if that is something that the state can or cannot do ( additionally your father may be subject to any agreements or obligations that he had consented to).
wil I be able to draw off my
wil I be able to draw off my first husband we had 2 children and I am on ssdi ?
In reply to wil I be able to draw off my by Anonymous (not verified)
Hi there,
Hi there,
I'm not entirely sure if you would be able to if you had remarried.
if I collect SSDI now and
if I collect SSDI now and stop does that I change my social security amount at age 62???
In reply to if I collect SSDI now and by Terry (not verified)
Hi Terry,
Hi Terry,
Your SSDI benefits would convert to your Social Security retirement benefits.
Best Of Luck,
Eric
I've been on SSID since
I've been on SSID since I was 52 1/2. What will happen to my benefit when I turn 66. Secondly my wife never worked she received her green card when she was 45. Will she receive anything when she retires. She will become a citizen this year. Will she receive my benefit when I die?
In reply to I've been on SSID since by Bob P (not verified)
Hi Bob,
Hi Bob,
Your SSDI benefits would convert to your Social Security retirement benefits. Your wife may be able to receive survivor's benefits when you die.
Best,
Eric
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