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 am 62 also and need my
I am 62 also and need my Social Security disability because I was in the hospital five days back in May and I cannot work full time job anymore Neither part time
In reply to I am 62 also and need my by Timothy Lee Sinkey (not verified)
Hi Timothy,
Hi Timothy,
I'm sorry to hear that! You can get in touch with an SSDI attorney or advocate by filling out this form:
https://www.disability-benefits-help.org/form/free-disability-evaluation
I was an RN for over 30 years
I was an RN for over 30 years working mostly in two different hospitals but one most of that time....I think it was about 28 years. That hospital is a County hospital in California. I have earned quite a bit of retirement through that hospital. I'm 61 now, at what age will I start receiving benefit from the hospital and I assume I will Social Security Retirement benefit also or did I not pay into that because of my hospital retirement?
In reply to I was an RN for over 30 years by Daniel Walker (not verified)
Hi Daniel,
Hi Daniel,
We are not associated with the SSA or the federal government, and as such we would not be able to say when you would be eligible for SSDI benefits as we do not have those records. In addition, we don't know when your pension would kick in, you would need to speak to your hospital's benefits administrator regarding that.
My brother receives $1025 in
My brother receives $1025 in social security disability. He is 57. When he reaches 65 will that amount be cut or will it be the same?
In reply to My brother receives $1025 in by Shelia Warren (not verified)
Hi Sheila,
Hi Sheila,
I could not say, but it may remain the same if he is receiving SSDI benefits.
I am receiving disability
I am receiving disability plus partial benefits from my late wife. When I hit my retirement age will the benefits automatically switch to my wife's full benefits account?
In reply to I am receiving disability by Wm (not verified)
Hi there,
Hi there,
You may receive benefits based off of your late wife's work record, it may be a good idea to contact the SSA regarding this, you can contact them at 1-800-772-1213.
I am on social security
I am on social security disability now. What changes if I get married to someone who is on social security?
In reply to I am on social security by Lisa (not verified)
Hi Lisa,
Hi Lisa,
We could not say as it would depend on what benefits you are receiving. You may want to contact a local SSA office regarding this.
I already get ssi I did an
I already get ssi I did an early retirement now I had 3 stocks and have an anarisal to be remove right hand has little abitily can I get total disability
In reply to I already get ssi I did an by Gladys (not verified)
Hi Gladys,
Hi Gladys,
I can't say for sure, but it's a possibility.
Does the money increase or
Does the money increase or does it stay in the same amount. Thank you.
In reply to Does the money increase or by Antonio Delgado (not verified)
Hi Antonio,
Hi Antonio,
It generally stays the same amount.
Ok so here's my weird
Ok so here's my weird question my mother in law gets ssdi now she turned 65 she is saying that they are taking half her disability away and replacing it with her husband's ssi now they are separated but not divorced does the ssi office really do thid abd why wouldn't they give her her own ssi she did work thru her life does this make sense or did she file for his on her own not ssi doing it
In reply to Ok so here's my weird by Heather (not verified)
Hi there,
Hi there,
She may be receiving benefits based on her spouse's work record if she is entitled to more money based on her spouse's work record than her own.
Hello - When SSDI switches
Hello - When SSDI switches over to regular SSR benefits, can I stop payments completely to delay the payout until 70 for an even larger SSR benefit payment?
In reply to Hello - When SSDI switches by jay (not verified)
Hi Jay,
Hi Jay,
You may not be able to as you are already receiving benefits, it may be a good idea to reach out to the Social Security Administration regarding this.
In reply to Hello - When SSDI switches by jay (not verified)
Hi Jay,
Hi Jay,
You may not be able to as you are already receiving benefits, it may be a good idea to reach out to the Social Security Administration regarding this.
What does my dad need to do?
What does my dad need to do? He's on disability right now and is receiving medicare and medicaid but is about to turn 65 in January. Do we need to do anything to keep his coverage or will it automatically convert on it's own?
In reply to What does my dad need to do? by Martha (not verified)
Hi Martha,
Hi Martha,
His coverage should stay the same, however you may want to contact the office in your state that handles Medicaid as it is a state-run program and their eligibility requirements can vary.
Will the amount I make on
Will the amount I make on said change when I retire?
In reply to Will the amount I make on by Anonymous (not verified)
Hi There,
Hi There,
It shouldn't change, but if you notice anything different you should contact the SSA.
My SSDI check is changing to
My SSDI check is changing to retirement benefits why am I losing my December check for SSDI?
In reply to My SSDI check is changing to by Renee (not verified)
Hi Renee,
Hi Renee,
You should contact the SSA at 1-800-772-1213.
When disability benefits
When disability benefits convert to regular retirement benefits, does the amount change? I was told that it will decrease but everything that I read says that it stays the same. Which is it?
In reply to When disability benefits by Sharon (not verified)
HI Sharon,
HI Sharon,
Your benefits will likely not change when they convert to retirement.
I am on SSDI and thinking
I am on SSDI and thinking about trying to return to work. I only have a year to reach full retirement age. If I go off disability and work a year and then take my social security retirement will it be the same amount as my disability, even if I go off disability for the next year?
In reply to I am on SSDI and thinking by Anita (not verified)
Hi Anita,
Hi Anita,
It may not have a very large effect on your retirement benefits, however you may be eligible to keep your disability benefits while working. You can find information about they Trial work period here:
https://www.disability-benefits-help.org/blog/trial-work-period-rules
I've been on SSDI for 3
I've been on SSDI for 3 years. I have been paying $105 for my part B. My statement I just received showing my 2% increase also shows they increased my part B to $145. I turn 65 in February. Is there any reason for this??
Thank you.
In reply to I've been on SSDI for 3 by Tammy Rigsby (not verified)
Hi Tammy,
Hi Tammy,
The SSA may not send out letter detailing what the cost of part B would be if you receive extra help, that may just be an increase in the base premium for Medicare Part B.
If your on SSDI and you make
If your on SSDI and you make 907 a month. And I want to start a school crossing job and it pays around 450 a month. Am I able to work this job or will I be making to much money monthly or yearly.
In reply to If your on SSDI and you make by Antonio Delgado (not verified)
Hi Antonio,
Hi Antonio,
You would be able to make up to $850 a month in 2018 before it affects your benefits.
On the school crossing job it
On the school crossing job it is not all year and not 40 hrs. it only around 3.7/5 hrs a day at 10 dollars an hr around 750 a month. Maybe 35 weeks at that.
I started receiving SSDI in
I started receiving SSDI in 2004 I thought that it was reduced from my full earnings at 66 as my husband when he reached 65 got a increase to full benefits as his were reduced. I noticed most sites including this one say that your benefits will stay the same. Looks like it was updated or something in 2011. Since mine like his were reduced (think to 80 percent) will mine go up when reaching full SS age? Thank you.
In reply to I started receiving SSDI in by Eunice (not verified)
Hi Eunice,
Hi Eunice,
Your benefits will most likely stay the same.
I am currently 55 yrs old and
I am currently 55 yrs old and have received SSDI benefits since 1996. Because I did not take Part B right away (I was on an individual insurance plan for 14 years and pay a 140% penalty for Part B). I have been informed by SSA that the month before my 65th birthday, I can apply for retirement benefits and my penalty will drop off. I noticed in one of your charts that because I was born after 1960, I will not be eligible for those benefits until turning 67. Also, if it converts automatically, why must I notify SSA? My other concern is that I'm not sure if I worked 40 quarters before I became disabled. Will I still qualify for retirement benefits or must I work more quarters to receive the retirement benefits?
In reply to I am currently 55 yrs old and by Andrew (not verified)
Hi Andrew,
Hi Andrew,
I apologize for any confusion, but I'd go with whatever the SSA says as we're not affiliated with them. As far as work credits go, don't worry about that when you hit your full retirement age. You're essentially "locked in" to your benefits once you're approved for SSDI and you hit your retirement age.
I was wrong I be working 15
I was wrong I be working 15 hrs a week at 10 an hr. And I will start in Jan 9 will I still loose my disability period.
Thank you,
Antonio Delgado
In reply to I was wrong I be working 15 by Anonymous (not verified)
Hi Antonio,
Hi Antonio,
I really could not say, you may need to contact a local SSA office regarding this.
Hi sorry to be a bother but
Hi sorry to be a bother but on my school crossing guard job. My total monthly salary should be around 540 13 hrs 10 hr. I start on the Jan 9th, will I lose my SSDI at all in any of the coming years is my question. Thank you for your patience and for the time in answering my questions.
Thank you,
Antonio Delgado
In reply to Hi sorry to be a bother but by Antonio Delgado (not verified)
Hi Antonio,
Hi Antonio,
I could not say for sure, but it does not sound like your job would affect your benefits in the coming years.
Have been receiving SSDI
Have been receiving SSDI since 2010. In January I will turn 62. At that time will the SGA of $840 per month still apply? Will I then be able to over that amount without it going toward TWP? Thank You.
In reply to Have been receiving SSDI by Eboi (not verified)
Hi Eboi,
Hi Eboi,
In 2018, earning over $850 a month would be considered a successful work month in regards to a TWP.
I am 66, working, and have
I am 66, working, and have not filed for SSI. My wife is 63 and receives SSDI on her work record. At her normal retirement age of 66, the spousal benefit of 50% on my work record is 3 times the amount she receives on SSDI. Can she convert to the spousal benefit when she reaches normal retirement age?
In reply to I am 66, working, and have by Ken R. (not verified)
Hi Ken,
Hi Ken,
She may be able to, however it may be a good idea to contact the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 for more information that would be specific to your wife's case.
I recently turned 66 I
I recently turned 66 I received a notice from as that my disability benefits will change to regular retirement. But my monthly amount from disability dropped almost $700.00 I thought there's no change. Confused
In reply to I recently turned 66 I by Joe (not verified)
HI Joe,
HI Joe,
I'm not sure what had happened there, you may want to contact the SSA regarding this as they would have detailed information about that. You can find a listing of local SSA offices here:
https://www.disability-benefits-help.org/content/social-security-disabi…
Hi, if I paid I'm taxes
Hi, if I paid I'm taxes and receive around $1,300 a month at the age of 64 and February will be 65. Will my payment increase
In reply to Hi, if I paid I'm taxes by Sissy (not verified)
Hi Sissy,
Hi Sissy,
I could not say, you may want to contact the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 regarding this.
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