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. 

Additional Resources 

Blog comments

Bryan

In reply to by Nancy (not verified)

Hi Nancy,

Hi Nancy,
Your benefit amount will stay the same as it was when you were on SSDI.

Mon, 10/03/2016 - 15:44 Permalink
Kathy (not verified)

I currently rec Disability ck

I currently rec Disability ck every month. I received a letter from SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION RETIREMENT SURVIVORS AND DISABILITY INSURANCE saying I'm getting a lesser AMT each month. Is my current Disability ck going to stop?

Sat, 10/08/2016 - 15:43 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Kathy (not verified)

Hi Kathy,

Hi Kathy,
It's always best to check with the SSA regarding letter that they send you, but if they assessed a lesser amount, then you may get less on your next monthly benefit check.

Mon, 10/10/2016 - 10:31 Permalink
Debbie (not verified)

Will I still be able to get

Will I still be able to get Medicare when I turn 65? I have been on disability since 1993 and have medicare now

Thu, 10/13/2016 - 19:20 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

If you take ssdi at like the

If you take ssdi at like the age of 40 will that effect your ssi when its time to retire? I have a friend who can't work because he has cancer and he was looking into ssdi for now to help with his finances.

Fri, 10/14/2016 - 11:00 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
SSDI benefits may not change the amount of money that you get at retirement, instead your SSDI benefits would covert to retirement benefits at the same amount as SSDI.

Fri, 10/14/2016 - 13:29 Permalink
Sheila (not verified)

If I'm collecting ssdi

If I'm collecting ssdi and got a job that I was able to do, how will this affect my monthly check. I can't make it on just my disability.

Mon, 10/17/2016 - 00:03 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Sheila (not verified)

Hi Sheila,

Hi Sheila,
You may be able to do it if you do not make over the substantial gainful activity limit of 1,130 a month.

Mon, 10/17/2016 - 14:39 Permalink
phil (not verified)

I currently get ssdi i turn

I currently get ssdi i turn 65 on 3/2017 and may start to receive a small pension,, will that change my amount of ssdi and then ss retirement amount at 66 years old.. thank you

Wed, 10/19/2016 - 08:24 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by phil (not verified)

Hi Phil,

Hi Phil,
SSDI benefits are based off of work record rather than income, so they may not change your benefits if you get a pension.

Wed, 10/19/2016 - 09:57 Permalink
phil (not verified)

In reply to by Bryan

thank you will the amount

thank you will the amount with the small pension stay the same 1 year later when i turn 66 and the ssdi changes to ss pension? thanks again

Wed, 10/19/2016 - 12:51 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by phil (not verified)

Hi Phil,

Hi Phil,
Your pension may not change anything about your SSDI or retirement benefits.

Wed, 10/19/2016 - 13:52 Permalink
wanda faulkner (not verified)

when my husband dies he has

when my husband dies he has stage 4 and with hospice care now.Will I get some of his ss and if so how much? I get disabity now on myself.

Sun, 10/23/2016 - 21:10 Permalink
Midge (not verified)

Hi Shane, I am going to turn

Hi Shane, I am going to turn 65 in a couple weeks. I was born in 1951 and have been on SSDI since 2008. I also get a survivor benefit from my deceased husband. I get one check (SSDI) the second Wed of the month and the other one the 3rd Wed of the month. I'm wondering if all this will change when I turn 65 or, according to your chart, will it remain the same until I'm 66? Either way, will the 2 checks turn into 1 check and how do they determine when I will receive them each month?

Mon, 10/24/2016 - 14:58 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Midge (not verified)

Hi Midge,

Hi Midge,
You may still be eligible for survivor's benefits after retirement age, however they may be two checks rather than one. The amount will not change.

Tue, 10/25/2016 - 09:32 Permalink
Michelle (not verified)

I am losing my LTD benefits

I am losing my LTD benefits through my previous employer when I turn 65. I know my ssdi will convert to ss retirement. Will my ss increase since I'm losing my LTD?

Mon, 10/24/2016 - 15:57 Permalink
Cindy (not verified)

I am 56 and my ex husband is

I am 56 and my ex husband is 60 I am divorced and he is remarried. I have been told by family members that I should be eligible for his social security at this time. But I am not really sure if this is true. Can you tell me if this is true or are they wrong about this?

Mon, 10/24/2016 - 19:47 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Cindy (not verified)

Hi Cindy

Hi Cindy
If you are disabled, you may be eligible for benefits under his work record. If yo are not disabled, you may not be eligible for benefits.

Tue, 10/25/2016 - 09:34 Permalink
DebbieM (not verified)

I started collecting Social

I started collecting Social Security at age 62. I was approved for Disability at age 63. My full retirement age is 66. When I reach age 66, will I receive what I'm currently receiving from Disability, or will it go back to the previous Social Security amount?

Tue, 10/25/2016 - 21:36 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by DebbieM (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
Your benefit amount may not change when your benefits convert from disability to retirement.

Wed, 10/26/2016 - 09:26 Permalink
William Steenbeke (not verified)

I am a quadriplegic and

I am a quadriplegic and retired in 1999 after having rotator cuff surgery. I have been receiving disability pension checks but received notification in the mail that in November when I turn 65, it will stop. Will I still get a pension check?

Wed, 10/26/2016 - 06:56 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by William Steenbeke (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
I really could not say as I do not have much experience with private disability pensions. You may want to contact whomever administers your disability pension.

Wed, 10/26/2016 - 09:28 Permalink
william r cox (not verified)

what is f r a ?

what is f r a ?

Wed, 10/26/2016 - 10:57 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by william r cox (not verified)

Hi William,

Hi William,
FRA is Full Retirement Age, the SSA's term for when you would qualify for your full retirement benefit.

Wed, 10/26/2016 - 13:21 Permalink
Mark (not verified)

I applied for SSDI.

I applied for SSDI.
Im allowed to make $1130 a month.
If I go over one time will my disability claim be denied?

Mon, 10/31/2016 - 22:39 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Mark (not verified)

Hi Mark,

Hi Mark,
you may not be denied due to that, but it's a good idea to get in touch with a disability advocate or attorney, they can help you with questions like that and also can help fight for you in the event that you need to appeal your case.

Tue, 11/01/2016 - 09:16 Permalink
Dan Reiser (not verified)

Can I now work without fear

Can I now work without fear of losing my benefits?

Tue, 11/01/2016 - 09:14 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Dan Reiser (not verified)

HI Dan,

HI Dan,
If you're receiving retirement benefits, then you may be able to work without losing your benefits as there are no income limits for recipients of retirement benefits.

Tue, 11/01/2016 - 09:21 Permalink
Leanne (not verified)

Why won't SSDI convert

Why won't SSDI convert at age 62 yo, since one can take early retirement at 62?

Tue, 11/01/2016 - 16:30 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Leanne (not verified)

Hi Leanne,

Hi Leanne,
It would not convert because retirement eligibility at age 62 is optional.

Wed, 11/02/2016 - 09:27 Permalink
Joyce (not verified)

just received ss letter

just received ss letter stating since i am turning 66 in november i am converted to normal ss from ss disability. however it said will get my november payment in december. i will miss a month of income...normally what would be deposited in nov. 3rd week for disability. Why do i have to skip a month?

Thu, 11/03/2016 - 18:06 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Joyce (not verified)

Hi Joyce,

Hi Joyce,
You may not lose a month of income, you may still be able to receive SSDI benefits for the month of November and they are sending those in lieu of retirement benefits.

Mon, 11/07/2016 - 16:32 Permalink
Kayleen (not verified)

This has been a concern of

This has been a concern of mine as on SSDI I'm unable to meet basic needs.

If it drops WAY down to regular SS at age 65+ I'll be homeless.

It's a CONSTANT worry as I've had to drain my once nice IRA and EVERYTHING just to pay obligations.

Does one have to go on welfare and food stamps, etc., just because they got older if they've been on SSDI for 30 years?!

Sat, 11/05/2016 - 13:35 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Kayleen (not verified)

Hi Kayleen,

Hi Kayleen,
Hopefully it may be helpful to know that if you're receiving SSDI benefits, then your benefit amount will not change when it becomes retirement benefits.

Mon, 11/07/2016 - 09:52 Permalink
Jody (not verified)

I CANNOT work. My disability

I CANNOT work. My disability changed to social security on the first of this month, as I am turning 65 later this month. I will be earning $220 LESS per month AND I have to pay $121. per month premium for Part B. I take 11 prescriptions. Right now I have NO insurance because I was told that i would be on disability (and Medicaid for doctors and prescriptions) for life. I cannot afford to take less money - or even the same money and pay the $121. a month premium. If this is true I will just end my life - that or I will be forced to the street.

Sun, 11/06/2016 - 22:05 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Jody (not verified)

Hi Jody,

Hi Jody,
I'm sorry to hear about this! You may be able to qualify for SSI benefits, and it may be a good idea to contact the office in your state that handles state aid as well.

Mon, 11/07/2016 - 10:00 Permalink
Lanie S. (not verified)

Hi. If someone has been

Hi. If someone has been receiving SSDI for years and then reach the retirement age, I understand that the monthly amount received will not change. However, would the normal retirement social security benefit have been greater for them had they not collected SSDI payments prior? I guess my question is, does collecting SSDI before retirement age reduce the regular social security payout at age 67? Thank you!

Tue, 11/08/2016 - 15:04 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Lanie S. (not verified)

Hi Lanie,

Hi Lanie,
Collecting SSDI may not reduce the retirement payout. However, their retirement benefit amount may be lower because the person collecting SSDI would not contribute to Social Security while they are receiving benefits, as opposed to someone who was working all the way up to retirement.

Tue, 11/08/2016 - 16:21 Permalink
Edward (not verified)

I am 62 and permanently

I am 62 and permanently disabled. Can I convert my SSDI benefits to Social Security Retirement now instead of waiting until age 65? Thank you!

Thu, 11/10/2016 - 15:12 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Edward (not verified)

HI Edward,

HI Edward,
You may be able retire early without any change in your benefits.

Fri, 11/11/2016 - 14:44 Permalink
Jimmy ray farris (not verified)

Will my dollar amount stay

Will my dollar amount stay the same

Sat, 11/12/2016 - 18:53 Permalink
Pam haddix (not verified)

I'm on ssd and have

I'm on ssd and have Medicare can I get medicaid

Thu, 11/17/2016 - 11:32 Permalink
Brenda Daniels (not verified)

Will the amount I receive now

Will the amount I receive now under disability change when I reach 65 or retirement age. I know some of the rules change at 66 and you can make extra money and it won't penalize your amount. But I'm worried that my amount will decrease.

Thu, 11/17/2016 - 18:19 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Brenda Daniels (not verified)

Hi Brenda,

Hi Brenda,
Your benefits amount may not change when your disability benefits convert to retirement benefits.

Tue, 11/22/2016 - 11:30 Permalink
Renee D (not verified)

I am 55 on ssi will I receive

I am 55 on ssi will I receive more money when I'm retirement age? I worked up until a year ago.

Thu, 11/17/2016 - 21:01 Permalink

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