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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.
Back to topThe 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.
Back to topIt’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
I make 948. On SSDI I have
I make 948. On SSDI I have multiple medical issues. Started receiving benefits2005. Can I work part time to supplement my income.
In reply to I make 948. On SSDI I have by George Roberts (not verified)
Hi George,
Hi George,
You can as long as it doesn't exceed the the 2017 SGA monthly limit.
-Eric
Since I get LTCD. My SSDI
Since I get LTCD. My SSDI was lowered but when I get 65 my LTCD WILL CEASE so at that time will my SS RETIREMENT increase? I was thinking it should.
In reply to Since I get LTCD. My SSDI by Linda (not verified)
Hi Linda,
Hi Linda,
My apologies, I am unaware of LTCD so unfortunately I cannot help you. Wishing you nothing but the best.
-Eric
I currently receive SSDI
I currently receive SSDI which is very minimal because I did not work for over 15 years while I followed my ex-husband around the world in his career. Therefore, I did not earn a lot of money during my prime earning years. Is it possible to increase my amount based on his earnings? I am only 54 years old and will not be able to claim on his retirement benefits until at least 62. Thank you.
In reply to I currently receive SSDI by Helvi Allman (not verified)
Hi Helvi,
Hi Helvi,
You may be able to claim based on your husband's record in some circumstances. It may be a good idea to contact your local SSA office, you an find a listing here:
http://www.disability-benefits-help.org/content/social-security-disabil…
I was born in 1953. When I
I was born in 1953. When I turn 66 will my SSA retirement check be the same amount as I currently receive in my disability check? If not, how do I know how much my retirement check will be?
In reply to I was born in 1953. When I by Jill (not verified)
Hi Jill,
Hi Jill,
I can't say for sure how much it'll be, but it will your SSDI will convert to regular Social Security benefits.
-Eric
im on medicare, will be 66 in
im on medicare, will be 66 in fall of 2017 will my ss be reduced due to my husband s state government pension? if so, how does that work? also, if I keep on working where I ve been for the last 30 years, how much can I earn without going over the earning limit or whatever. and if I can keep all the earnings, will this be after 70 or 66 full retirement? and finally will this still be reduced somehow due to my husband s pension? someone told me that social security will also help me with keeping my assets from nursing home take over? I think not.
In reply to im on medicare, will be 66 in by charlotte E Rice (not verified)
Hi Charlotte,
Hi Charlotte,
Your Social Security retirement benefit would be based off of your work record, except for some certain circumstances, so your husband's state pension may not affect your benefits.
I am on disability. I was
I am on disability. I was born in 53, so I will reach retirement age at 66 years. I am currently 64. I understand that when I reach retirement age (in 2 years) the amount I now receive will NOT change. However, I am working on getting off of disability and hope to be off of it sometime after my normal retirement age. THEN, would I still receive the amount I am getting now - even though I was off disability and working? Sorry for the length.
In reply to I am on disability. I was by Robert (not verified)
Hi Robert,
Hi Robert,
You would still be eligible for the same benefits after retirement age because you would be receiving retirement benefits, not disability benefits. After your benefits convert to retirement benefits, you would be able to earn as much as you would like without it affecting your benefits as there is no earnings limit for retirement benefits.
During the conversion of my
During the conversion of my disability benefits to retirement benefits will there be a month when I don't receive a payment? I am worried that there will be a lapse in a payment to me.
In reply to During the conversion of my by Anonymous (not verified)
Hi there,
Hi there,
You may want to contact the SSA regarding this, you can find out some more information about this by contacting them at 1-800-772-1213.
I am told that when I turn 66
I am told that when I turn 66 my SSDI will switch to Reg SS and I will receive $123.00 less. How can that be when my condition has not improved. I retired at 64 y 4 mos.
In reply to I am told that when I turn 66 by Louella (not verified)
Hi Louella,
Hi Louella,
That may be the monthly premium for Medicare Part B Coverage. You may want to contact the SSA for more information about this, you can do so by calling them at 1-800-772-1213
So when I turn 65 in 3 yrs, I
So when I turn 65 in 3 yrs, I don't have to sign up for social security? I'm on disability. Can I continue on that till 66.2 yrs old?
In reply to So when I turn 65 in 3 yrs, I by Georgina Lopez (not verified)
Hi Georgina,
Hi Georgina,
You may want to contact your local SSA office regarding this, you can find a listing of SSA offices here:
http://www.disability-benefits-help.org/content/social-security-disabil…
My mother was declared
My mother was declared legally blind but is only receiving SSI benefits for the month of June and July. They're saying her combined income with her retired husband doesn't qualify her after July but they make below 1700 which I thought was the max. What is the maximum for TN?
In reply to My mother was declared by Danny (not verified)
Hi Danny,
Hi Danny,
Qualification is based off of many factors, you may want to contact a local SSA office, you can find a listing of SSA offices in Tennesee here:
http://www.disability-benefits-help.org/social-security-disability-loca…
while on disability I have
while on disability I have worked some so I could to pay for my spose medication because she was not eligible for medicade she had a quadruple bypass and also is a diabetec. she could not get assistance because she has never worked and was not ellgible for social security.i have worked most of my life and have paid into social security.my questin is I'm 65 now so at 66 I'm off disability and go into ss retirement will I get more money than ss disability .do they go by your total earnings you have paid into social security. also at age 66 will my wife get more than she gets now
In reply to while on disability I have by robert (not verified)
Hi Robert,
Hi Robert,
Generally your benefits amount would not change after converting to retirement.
I am 66. It just happened
I am 66. It just happened last month. I receive SS disability benefits plus spousal benefits, a total of $750. It happens that I have worked very little and there is nothing in my SS. There is no sign they will convert my benefits into SS retirement. On the contrary, they told me I have to be like that until 2020. Any info will be very appreciated. Thanks.
In reply to I am 66. It just happened by Maria (not verified)
Hi Maria,
Hi Maria,
I'm sorry to hear about that! Generally, your benefit amount would not change when you convert your disability benefits to retirement benefits.
I receive SSDI, I am 64, I
I receive SSDI, I am 64, I turn 65 in January. How do I find out if my SSI will be less than my SSDI
In reply to I receive SSDI, I am 64, I by Joel Hook (not verified)
Hi Joel,
Hi Joel,
Generally, your benefits amount would not change when your disability benefits convert to retirement benefits.
i was born in 1952 i am
i was born in 1952 i am currently receiving ssdi. i turned 65 this past may. however, i am also receiving military medical benefits thru tri care with my husbands military retirement. do i need to convert anything or change anything?
In reply to i was born in 1952 i am by charolette (not verified)
Hi Charlotte,
Hi Charlotte,
You may not need to change anything, your SSDI benefits would convert automatically.
I am 65 & have been on SS
I am 65 & have been on SS disability since 2005. My husband is younger than me born in Jan 1956 & still working. When he retires,will I be able to collect spousal benefits or does my benefit amount stay the same as it is?
In reply to I am 65 & have been on SS by MARY (not verified)
Hi Mary,
Hi Mary,
You may be eligible for benefits based on his work record if the benefit amount you would get based on his work record would be larger than the one that you receive now.
I was already on ssdi when my
I was already on ssdi when my spouse died and I applied for the survivor benefit because my ssdi income is very small. I was told I am receiving less than full benefit since I'm under retirement age. I am soon to reach age 66 and am worried about losing my ssdi income and having only reduced survivor benefit for retirement. I went to social security office and they didn't give me a straight answer. Currently I receive two checks, my ssdi and my survivor benefit. I am fearing that losing one will force me into homelessness. No one seems to be able to tell me what to expect. I have cancer and no living family, I am very worried and hope I can get answers here. Thank you.
In reply to I was already on ssdi when my by kate (not verified)
Hi Kate,
Hi Kate,
I'm sorry to hear about that!
Your SSDI benefits would convert to retirement benefits once you reach retirement age.
Im on disability, I will be
Im on disability, I will be at full retirement age at 66 in 2019, my ex husband (over 10yrs marriage) get $175 more than me. When am I eligible to get his amount?
In reply to Im on disability, I will be by Missy (not verified)
No, your payments will still
No, your payments will still be higher--You'd only be eligible for 50% of his retirement benefits.
I receive SSDI and am also on
I receive SSDI and am also on Medicare.
I will be 65 next year.
I know that one is supposed to sign up for Medicare at 65.
Since I am already on Medicare, do I need to do anything else with Medicare?
In reply to I receive SSDI and am also on by Dorothy (not verified)
Hi Dorothy,
Hi Dorothy,
You may not need to do so, but if you're in doubt, you can contact the SSA at 1-800-772-1213.
my sister receives SSI. She
my sister receives SSI. She is soon to be 62. Her retirement benefit is less than the ssi benefit she receives so will her benefit be reduced to her retirement benefit or will she continue to receive the amount she receives now? thank you.
In reply to my sister receives SSI. She by Lisa S (not verified)
Hi Lisa,
Hi Lisa,
Your sister may be eligible for the same amount of benefits that she is receiving now as SSI is available to those who are retired as well.
I'm on ssdi, I canceled
I'm on ssdi, I canceled Medicare part b a few years ago. I received a notice from ssa stating I'm being enrolled in Medicare part b starting in dec 2017.
Will I have to pay a fee for not having had insurance since I cancelled or will I pay the normal rate.
And since my actual retirement age is 66 not 65 why am I being placed on Medicare part b.
Thank you
In reply to I'm on ssdi, I canceled by Barb (not verified)
Hi Barb,
Hi Barb,
You may want to contact the SSA regarding this, you can do so at 1-800-772-1213.
My husband is disabled and
My husband is disabled and his disability was switched to SS. I was wondering if he is eligible for anything other then what he is receiving? He is completely disabled and I am his full time care giver.
In reply to My husband is disabled and by Gale (not verified)
Hi Gale,
Hi Gale,
He may not be eligible for more than what he is currently receiving. You may want to contact the SSA to confirm this, their number is 1-800-772-1213.
I am 62 years old and recieve
I am 62 years old and recieve ssdi and now social security says I will be recieving retirement next month. Does that mean that I will no longer recieve my disability benefits. Will this mean I will only receive retirement benefits only?
In reply to I am 62 years old and recieve by Darlene (not verified)
Hi Darlene,
Hi Darlene,
You would become ineligible for SSDI benefits after retirement, however your retirement benefit amount may stay the same.
In reply to I am 62 years old and recieve by Darlene (not verified)
Hi Darlene,
Hi Darlene,
You would become ineligible for SSDI benefits after retirement, however your retirement benefit amount may stay the same.
When I convert to social
When I convert to social security at 66 will my benefits go up. I have been on ssdisability
In reply to When I convert to social by Cynthia (not verified)
Hi Cynthia,
Hi Cynthia,
Your benefits amount may not change after retirement.
I started receiving
I started receiving disability in 2009,a small amount of 445 a month. I am now 68 will I start getting the amount which I was supposed to get at retirement, it was more than 700 a month. I had been working from1992 to 2011. I migrated to US in 1992 I am a US citizen
In reply to I started receiving by Mussarat Kayani (not verified)
Hi Mussarat,
Hi Mussarat,
That may be because you were receiving income based benefits before retirement.
are there rules, regulations
are there rules, regulations against applying for regular social security benefits once full age is reached after receiving dissability benefits?
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