Do Social Security Disability Benefits Switch to Retirement Benefits When You Turn 65?

Submitted by Shane on

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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Blog comments

Bobbi (not verified)

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.

Fri, 03/02/2018 - 06:16 Permalink
Eric

In reply to 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.

Fri, 03/02/2018 - 09:05 Permalink
Ralph Barrett (not verified)

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

Fri, 03/02/2018 - 16:04 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

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?

Sun, 03/04/2018 - 17:29 Permalink
Debra (not verified)

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?

Tue, 03/06/2018 - 06:22 Permalink
Eric

In reply to 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.

Tue, 03/06/2018 - 15:46 Permalink
Debra (not verified)

Meant to say hello and thank

Meant to say hello and thank you so much for your time also. Hit post too soon , sorry

Tue, 03/06/2018 - 06:23 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

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,

Wed, 03/07/2018 - 18:04 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Hello,

Hello,

Your SSDI benefits convert to regular Social Security retirement benefits.

Thu, 03/08/2018 - 12:32 Permalink
Tally (not verified)

I have been working part time

I have been working part time
While on Sadi. Will my benefits increase
Since I work!

Sun, 03/11/2018 - 15:25 Permalink
Steve (not verified)

"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?

Mon, 03/12/2018 - 22:06 Permalink
Scott Smith (not verified)

Do we have to pay for medical

Do we have to pay for medical benefits after switching from SSDI?

Wed, 03/14/2018 - 13:30 Permalink
Dot (not verified)

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?

Wed, 03/14/2018 - 13:37 Permalink
Dot (not verified)

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?

Wed, 03/14/2018 - 13:47 Permalink
Eric

In reply to 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.

Wed, 03/14/2018 - 14:24 Permalink
Carol Cruise (not verified)

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?

Tue, 03/20/2018 - 14:11 Permalink
rsg

In reply to 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.

Tue, 03/27/2018 - 16:09 Permalink
Phyllis (not verified)

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?

Wed, 03/21/2018 - 12:43 Permalink
rsg

In reply to 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!

Thu, 03/22/2018 - 15:43 Permalink
Susan (not verified)

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?

Sat, 03/24/2018 - 21:44 Permalink
Sean (not verified)

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.

Sun, 03/25/2018 - 16:28 Permalink
Charles Wright (not verified)

How much money can I make I

How much money can I make I on ssdi

Mon, 03/26/2018 - 11:35 Permalink
joe (not verified)

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?

Tue, 03/27/2018 - 14:44 Permalink
Eric

In reply to 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.

Tue, 03/27/2018 - 16:37 Permalink
Thomas (not verified)

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

Tue, 03/27/2018 - 15:49 Permalink
joe (not verified)

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.

Wed, 03/28/2018 - 17:07 Permalink
Gilbert lipscomb (not verified)

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

Thu, 03/29/2018 - 12:12 Permalink
Lanna (not verified)

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?

Thu, 03/29/2018 - 17:33 Permalink
rsg

In reply to 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.

Tue, 04/03/2018 - 16:38 Permalink
Mary Thacker (not verified)

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??.

Fri, 03/30/2018 - 11:13 Permalink
Dee (not verified)

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?

Wed, 04/04/2018 - 13:58 Permalink
Elaine (not verified)

I became disabled at 60,I

I became disabled at 60,I will be turning 65 next year. Will my monthly amount change

Mon, 04/09/2018 - 13:25 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Elaine (not verified)

Hi Elaine,

Hi Elaine,

No your SSDI benefits will convert to regular retirement benefits, so you would see no change.

Mon, 04/09/2018 - 15:36 Permalink
Brenda (not verified)

If I get ssi. And ss. Does

If I get ssi. And ss. Does it turn to ss after I turn 66

Mon, 04/09/2018 - 18:59 Permalink

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