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.
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I just got a notice that my
I just got a notice that my husband and my disability payts will end in April. They ended it in Feb instead. We turn 66 on 3/24 and 3/28. This is almost $400 less a month and we can barely afford to live as it was.
It says we can appeal, but is it a waste of time? Do they ever accept the appeal? Thank you for your advice.
In reply to I just got a notice that my by Bobbi (not verified)
Hi Bobbi,
Hi Bobbi,
I am sorry to hear that. You should definitely try to appeal that because it often can be overturned. Wishing you and your husband nothing but the best.
If I am SSDI and now turn 65
If I am SSDI and now turn 65 and get SSI will I lose any of my disability benefits or be the same amount of income
In reply to If I am SSDI and now turn 65 by Ralph Barrett (not verified)
Hi Ralph, it should convert
Hi Ralph, it should convert to retirement benefits.
I am on ssd and have been
I am on ssd and have been told that could still earn extra money. I am 61yrs old and have a heart condition. I do not want to put my benefits in jeopardy nor my health. How would i find this out?
In reply to I am on ssd and have been by Anonymous (not verified)
Hi There,
Hi There,
You can call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 to find out more.
Hello,
Hello,
I was put on disability, (Not allowed to come back to work by company doctor), due to my accident. I have been on disability from company for 14 years. This year they took health benefits away and put terminated in our status on all employees that were on disability. My question is: Will the company allow us to retire when we reach age 65? (I have more than 25 years of service.) Or can they take away our retirement also?
In reply to Hello, by Debra (not verified)
Hi Debra,
Hi Debra,
I really cannot accurately say. I would recommend speaking with a HR representative at your company. Wishing you nothing but the best.
Meant to say hello and thank
Meant to say hello and thank you so much for your time also. Hit post too soon , sorry
In reply to Meant to say hello and thank by Debra (not verified)
Hi Debra,
Hi Debra,
No need to apologize! We are happy to help!
Hello,
Hello,
I am on disability and will reach retirement age soon.
Will disability checks remain the same after retirement age? And if so,
for how long?
Thank you so much,
In reply to Hello, by Anonymous (not verified)
Hello,
Hello,
Your SSDI benefits convert to regular Social Security retirement benefits.
I have been working part time
I have been working part time
While on Sadi. Will my benefits increase
Since I work!
In reply to I have been working part time by Tally (not verified)
Hi Tally,
Hi Tally,
They will not increase because you work.
"This means that you
"This means that you will begin receiving your monthly benefits regardless of your income, unlike when these benefits were simply SSDI benefits." Does the words "your income" above mean your SSDI benefit or monies you earn from a job?
In reply to "This means that you by Steve (not verified)
Hi Steve,
Hi Steve,
Income means money earned, not the SSDI benefit.
Do we have to pay for medical
Do we have to pay for medical benefits after switching from SSDI?
In reply to Do we have to pay for medical by Scott Smith (not verified)
Hi Scott,
Hi Scott,
I would recommend speaking with a representative from your insurance provider.
Will amount of SS be the same
Will amount of SS be the same amount I got for SS disability benefits or will just the name of the benefit change?
In reply to Will amount of SS be the same by Dot (not verified)
Hi Dot,
Hi Dot,
Your SSDI will convert to regular retirement benefits with no changes.
I started collecting
I started collecting disability at 58.If I was still able to work and collect regular SS benefits at 66 would amount have been more?
In reply to I started collecting by Dot (not verified)
Hi Dot,
Hi Dot,
I really can't say for sure, but your SSDI benefits will convert to regular retirement benefits once you hit turn 65.
I'm on disablity but
I'm on disablity but worked part time for at least 10 years and paid into medicare, when my retirement at 66 changes do I get that money I paid in with an increased monthly payment or do I stay with the same amount?
In reply to I'm on disablity but by Carol Cruise (not verified)
Hi Carol,
Hi Carol,
When you retire your SSDI changes over to retirement with no changes. As for the medicare, I am unsure as I am not and expert with medicare.
I received a letter from DEFC
I received a letter from DEFC stating I would no longer receive Medicaid starting April. Who do I get in contact with to understand what’s happening?
In reply to I received a letter from DEFC by Phyllis (not verified)
Hi Phyllis,
Hi Phyllis,
You may no longer qualify for Medicaid. You can try contacting your local office for more information specific to your situation. Best of luck!
If I receive $1900.00 in ssdi
If I receive $1900.00 in ssdi and at age 66.8 at full retirement I would normally would get $2300.00. Would this still be correct or will my retirement stay at the ssdi amount?
In reply to If I receive $1900.00 in ssdi by Susan (not verified)
Hi Susan,
Hi Susan,
Your SSDI benefits will not chance once you hit retirement age.
I am 61 and will receive
I am 61 and will receive approx $1500 from ssdi. My approx benefit for retirement at 66 would be $2400. Will I still receive the 2400 when 66?? and the ssdi be discontinued.
In reply to I am 61 and will receive by Sean (not verified)
Hi Sean,
Hi Sean,
It should stay the same once your SSDI converts to regular retirement benefits.
How much money can I make I
How much money can I make I on ssdi
In reply to How much money can I make I by Charles Wright (not verified)
Hi Charles,
Hi Charles,
You can't make more than $1,180/month
I have been approved for ssdi
I have been approved for ssdi, my wife has applied and been approved for spousal benefits, however she is receiving a lower rate than half even tho she applied to spousal benefits at 66 yrs because she had applied for retirement at 62yrs on her own earnings. is this normal?
In reply to I have been approved for ssdi by joe (not verified)
Hi Joe,
Hi Joe,
I really can't say for sure because every case is different. You might want to contact the SSA directly to see if they can shed any light on this situation.
Do I receive the same dollar
Do I receive the same dollar amount that I receive for ssdi
When I turn to right age for regular social security retirement
In reply to Do I receive the same dollar by Thomas (not verified)
Hi Thomas,
Hi Thomas,
Yes you will, but if there are any changes you should contact the SSA.
thank you Eric, I did contact
thank you Eric, I did contact ssa. and they did say she does get penalize twice once because she applied for her own ss under her own earnings at 62, and the second time they use this same age . even tho she didn't applied till age 66 when I became disable. I guess retiring at 62yrs also applies to any future claims. if only we had a crystal ball then.
In reply to thank you Eric, I did contact by joe (not verified)
Best of luck!
Best of luck!
I am 64 years old (02/25/54)
I am 64 years old (02/25/54) &.have been receiving approx. $2350 @ mo. SSDI since 2010. What will happen to my monthly alotment when I turn 65 on Feb.25th 2019? Go up or go down
In reply to I am 64 years old (02/25/54) by Gilbert lipscomb (not verified)
Hi Gilbert,
Hi Gilbert,
Nothing will change when you convert from SSDI to retirement.
At age 62 I started my
At age 62 I started my retirement benefits, 3-4 months later, my disability came through, at age 65 I received a notice that my disability has been updated to social security retirement. I am now 71 and so far I am not receiving regular retirement earning. Why didn't the amount change back at age 65?
In reply to At age 62 I started my by Lanna (not verified)
Hi Lanna,
Hi Lanna,
Your disability benefits convert to retirement benefits with no change. As for the regular retirement, I am unsure.
My husband receive ssd and
My husband receive ssd and our daughter receives a check from him .At his retirement age of 65 will she get a increase??.
In reply to My husband receive ssd and by Mary Thacker (not verified)
Hi Mary,
Hi Mary,
It should same the same one he hits retirement age.
I am receiving SS Disability
I am receiving SS Disability benefits but wasn't planning on retiring until age 70 because of higher SS retirement benefits. Is being on SS Disability at the time of my retirement age going to keep me stuck at the rate of retirement benefits at that time or provided I still qualify, am I able to keep disability benefits until I'm 70 and then receive the higher retirement amount?
In reply to I am receiving SS Disability by Dee (not verified)
Hi Dee,
Hi Dee,
When your SSDI changes to retirement benefits, the amount stays the same.
I became disabled at 60,I
I became disabled at 60,I will be turning 65 next year. Will my monthly amount change
In reply to I became disabled at 60,I by Elaine (not verified)
Hi Elaine,
Hi Elaine,
No your SSDI benefits will convert to regular retirement benefits, so you would see no change.
If I get ssi. And ss. Does
If I get ssi. And ss. Does it turn to ss after I turn 66
In reply to If I get ssi. And ss. Does by Brenda (not verified)
Hi Brenda,
Hi Brenda,
Your SSI will turn into regular retirement benefits once you hit retirement age.
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