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
I am currently on
I am currently on SSDISABILITY. My husband and I recently are not together, but for financial reasons cannot get a divorce. What happens to my SSDisability?
In reply to I am currently on by Anonymous (not verified)
Your SSD will not be affected
Your SSD will not be affected.
-Eric
I do not understand how I
I do not understand how I worked and paid into my SS so when I become of age I might not get as much as someone who never worked. I understand if someone it really disabled but we all know those who could work but do not.
In reply to I do not understand how I by Sue (not verified)
Hi Sue,
Hi Sue,
The SSA does base retirement benefits on your work record and contributions, so someone who did not work would not receive more retirement benefits than someone with a more robust work record.
I receive Social Security
I receive Social Security Disability. Next year my wife will turn 62 and will be eligible to apply for Social Security Benefits. If she files at age 62, are her benefits any different than they would be if I were not disabled?
In reply to I receive Social Security by Terry K (not verified)
Hi Terry,
Hi Terry,
They would convert to SSI benefits.
Best Wishes,
Eric
My husband had to go on SS
My husband had to go on SS Disability 5 years ago. We also had a company sponsored disability insurance. When we received his statement prior to his disability, our estimated SS at full retirement (age 66 for him), was estimated as higher than he is receiving from the SSD now. Once he reaches full retirement age, we understand it will switch from SSD to retirement benefits. Will he receive those estimates amounts, or remain at the amount he is currently receiving under the SSD?
In reply to My husband had to go on SS by Dandi (not verified)
Hi Dandi,
Hi Dandi,
His benefits amount may change, however in many cases it stays the same when converting to retirement benefits at full retirement age.
I never had enough credits to
I never had enough credits to draw On my own, but I do qualify for SSI disability. When I reach retirement age of 67 would my income increase if I drew off of my ex husband.
In reply to I never had enough credits to by Janet (not verified)
Hi Janet,
Hi Janet,
It may increase, but it may depend on your eligibility to receive benefits as an ex-spouse, and it may also depend on his work record.
What happens if you reach
What happens if you reach full retirement age while on SSDI without having earned full retirement credits???
In reply to What happens if you reach by Richard W. WERT (not verified)
Hi Richard,
Hi Richard,
Your SSDI benefits may convert to retirement benefits.
Best Wishes,
Eric
I'm on SSDI and turn 62
I'm on SSDI and turn 62 this summer will my benefit amount change, or will in change at my full retirement age of 66 and 2, or not at all. Thanks and concerned.
In reply to I'm on SSDI and turn 62 by Ken (not verified)
Hi Ken,
Hi Ken,
Once you reach full retirement age your SSDI benefits will convert to SSDI benefits.
Best,
Eric
Does Medicare automactically
Does Medicare automactically stay the same when SSDI converts to retirement benefits ?
In reply to Does Medicare automactically by Jo (not verified)
Hi Jo,
Hi Jo,
There may be no change in your enrollment.
I took my Social Security
I took my Social Security benefits at 62. Then I got on disability. When I turn 66 well I'd be on my lower amount because I took my Social Security at 62
In reply to I took my Social Security by Dibber51 (not verified)
Hi there,
Hi there,
You may receive the lower amount as you took retirement benefits early.
If I am on SSDI And turn 65,
If I am on SSDI And turn 65, will I be eligible for my deceased husbands SSI benefit?
In reply to If I am on SSDI And turn 65, by Jane Vinzo (not verified)
Hi Jane,
Hi Jane,
In certain circumstances, you might be eligible for both SSI and SSDI at the same time.
Best of Luck,
Eric
Hi I have currently been on
Hi I have currently been on ssd for 4 years and today I'm 62. I know my full retirement age is 66 and 2 months. I currently receive $715.00 per month. I was a stay at home mom for several years so my paid in amount isn't as high as others my age. I'm wondering if my monthly benefit will drop at 66 and 2 months based on only my paid in amount? My husband died 30+ years ago. Thanks
In reply to Hi I have currently been on by Beth (not verified)
Hi Beth,
Hi Beth,
Generally, if your benefits convert to retirement benefits, you would receive the same amount. You may also be able to receive benefits based on your spouse's work record, if it would be higher than what you would receive on your own work record.
Can I change from disability
Can I change from disability to regular social security when I turn 65 on my own
In reply to Can I change from disability by Kathy (not verified)
Hi Kathy,
Hi Kathy,
You may be able to do so if that is your full retirement age, however your benefits amount may not change.
I now draw social security
I now draw social security disability when I turn 66 it will covert to retirement can I then work
In reply to I now draw social security by Teresa (not verified)
Hi Teresa,
Hi Teresa,
It will convert to retirement and you may be able to work.
-Eric
I am 61years old. Born 1956.
I am 61years old. Born 1956. I receive Social Security Disability and a check from Prudential. When I reach retirement age will my check be the same as what I receive now combing both checks. SSD is around 2700 and Prudential check is around 800.00. So will my social security retirement check be 3500.00? Will I be able to work and make as much as I want or is their a limit on how much I can make when I reach retirement age?
In reply to I am 61years old. Born 1956. by Lou Ann (not verified)
Hi Lou Ann,
Hi Lou Ann,
I really could not say as we don't really know why you're receiving that check form Prudential, however when your benefits convert to retirement they will likely stay the same amount.
I have a question. I
I have a question. I currently get SSI. I've been getting SSI since I was 13. I am now 36 years old. I heard once I turn 67 the SSI converts to regular Social Security retirement benefits. If that's true and the money isn't under the SSI rules and guidelines. I was wondering since it will be Social Security retirement benefit will I be able to handle my money without having to have a representative payee since it's under different guidelines.
In reply to I have a question. I by Ginger (not verified)
Hi Ginger,
Hi Ginger,
Unfortunately, Retirement, SSDI and SSI are separate programs, and you may still be on SSI benefits when you reach full retirement age.
My husband is on ssdi, do we
My husband is on ssdi, do we need to contact social security when he reaches age 62 or age 66 to convert to ssi or does it happen automatically?
In reply to My husband is on ssdi, do we by Denice (not verified)
Hi Denice,
Hi Denice,
SSDI benefits convert to retirement automatically when the claimant turns 66.
-Eric
I am on disability, I am 48
I am on disability, I am 48 and do not have enough credits on my SS record to receive Social Security of my own. I was married for 18 years and I understand that I can collect 50% of my ex-husbands retirement payment each month. Is this an automatic thing, does Social Security do this on their own or do I have to notify them?
Second question.....I get $735 now, if I collect his 50% I will only have $600 a month to live on and I will be subject to garnishments for back child support and old student loans. I need to know what to expect.
Thank you so much!
In reply to I am on disability, I am 48 by Kelly (not verified)
Hi Kelley,
Hi Kelley,
You may be able to do so after age 50, and the $600 of SSDI benefits may be supplemented up to that $735 by SSI benefits.
I am wondering if when I
I am wondering if when I switch to retirement will I still receive ltd benefits from my former employer that now pays me ltd checks each month for disability
In reply to I am wondering if when I by shirley taylor (not verified)
Hi Shirley,
Hi Shirley,
You may want to check with the people who provide your LTD policy, they would have more information as to what you would be able to do while receiving it.
In reply to I am wondering if when I by shirley taylor (not verified)
Hi Shirley,
Hi Shirley,
You may want to check with the people who provide your LTD policy, they would have more information as to what you would be able to do while receiving it.
I would like to know if I am
I would like to know if I am on Social Security disability and I turn 65 this year will my income change from Social Security I have been on disability since I've been 58
In reply to I would like to know if I am by Debra raymer (not verified)
Hi Debra,
Hi Debra,
Generally when disability benefits convert to retirement, the amount does not change.
I have heard rumors that the
I have heard rumors that the amount of money I receive will decrease when I reach age 66 and transfer to regular SS. I left the work force at age 58 due to disability. Is this true? How do they calculate my earnings for regular SS? Do they take into account that I couldn't work? I'd appreciate some guidance. Thanks.
I am 63 and thinking of
I am 63 and thinking of retiring, I am on ssdi. Will my ssdi amount change if I retire now and by how much if it does?
In reply to I am 63 and thinking of by Dan Z (not verified)
Hi Dan,
Hi Dan,
Your benefits amount may not change when your benefits convert to retirement.
In reply to Hi Dan, by Bryan
They may not change or they
They may not change or they will not change?
In reply to They may not change or they by Dan (not verified)
Hi Dan,
Hi Dan,
We really could not say as it relies on factors that we would not have knowledge of, as we're not affiliated with the SSA or the federal government. However, benefit amounts generally do not change if you are already receiving benefits and your benefits convert to retirement at full retirement age.
My mother had been receiving
My mother had been receiving a disability check for about 8 yrs or so. It was a livable check. Now that she has turned 65 the amount has plummeted to just below $100. Is that normal?
In reply to My mother had been receiving by Glenda (not verified)
Hi Glenda,
Hi Glenda,
It may not be, however if her benefits are based on her income and there has been a change in her income, it may change. It might be a good idea to contact your local SSA office regarding this, as they would have specific information about your mother's particular case. You can find a listing of local offices here:
http://www.disability-benefits-help.org/content/social-security-disabil…
I am on Social Security
I am on Social Security disability and when I turn 62 do I still have to follow the SGA amount when I'm working
In reply to I am on Social Security by Darlene (not verified)
Hi Darlene,
Hi Darlene,
You may have to do so if you are not receiving retirement benefits.
My husband is younger than me
My husband is younger than me by five years. He is on SSDI and it will not convert to Social Security Benefits until he reaches age 67. When I reach age 62, (I am 61 now) and apply for my own Social Security (and take a 25% loss) will it automatically "deem" me as applying for my husband's Social Security? Or, will I avoid the "deemed application" and be able to apply on his record once he reaches 67 and his SSDI converts so that I get the 50% of his Social Security instead of 30% (deemed application with penalty reductions). Thank you, Lori Roberts
In reply to My husband is younger than me by Lori Roberts (not verified)
Hi Lori,
Hi Lori,
Your application for retirement benefits would be for your own work record, and you would be subject to the early retirement penalty. After your husband retires, you may be eligible for benefits based on his work record, however you may not be eligible prior to his own retirement.
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