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

Submitted by Shane on

Table of Contents

  1. The Benefits Do Convert
  2. It’s Not Automatically 65
  3. Additional Resources 

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.

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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.

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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

Antonia (not verified)

I received Ssdi and now will

I received Ssdi and now will receive Ssi because I will be 66 next week. Please tell me I get my check in January 2018 on the 3 like I usually do

Sun, 12/31/2017 - 19:32 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Antonia (not verified)

Hi Antonia,

Hi Antonia,
Your payment date may change as Social Security Retirement Benefit payment dates are based on date of birth.

Wed, 01/03/2018 - 14:09 Permalink
Brian P (not verified)

Hi Shane: I am on SSDI, not

Hi Shane: I am on SSDI, not sure if I convert to SS retirement at 62 or 65. I am in NYS if that matters. My question is I know from research that collection agencies can't touch SSDI benefits. I am unsure whether they can start collecting, i.e. liens, when SSDI converts to SS retirement. Would you happens to be able to answer my question?

Fri, 01/19/2018 - 14:10 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Brian P (not verified)

Hi Brian,

Hi Brian,
Generally, Social Security benefits may not be garnished, whether they are SSDI or retirement benefits, and the SSA mandates that two month's worth of benefits are protected from seizure or asset freezing by creditors.

Mon, 01/22/2018 - 09:27 Permalink
Belinda (not verified)

If I understand it correctly,

If I understand it correctly, when I reach retirement age (67 and 10 months), my SSDI will automatically convert to Social Security Retirement. Will the amount remain the same (from Social Security), assuming no other income sources? Will it still be deposited on the same date of the month as my SSDI?

Mon, 01/22/2018 - 00:23 Permalink
Phyllis Meekma (not verified)

I just turned 65 this month

I just turned 65 this month (Jan 2018). I am currently receiving short term disability benefits that will likely end on Feb 4, 2018. My social security benefits start Feb 1, 2018. How will those few days of disability affect my social security?

Tue, 01/23/2018 - 13:06 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Phyllis Meekma (not verified)

Hi Phyllis,

Hi Phyllis,
They may not affect your social security benefits as retirement benefits are not based on income.

Wed, 01/24/2018 - 15:32 Permalink
Patty k (not verified)

I have said and I'll be

I have said and I'll be 65 in March, my ex husband said I can go on his as when he's 65 and he'll keep working. Will I lose my claim or will it be,added to his or when he claims his and I go back to mine will i receive the same or more .

Sat, 01/27/2018 - 09:09 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Patty k (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
You may start to receive retirement benefits based on his work record if you would receive less on your own work record.

Tue, 01/30/2018 - 09:16 Permalink
Linda Pierce (not verified)

My husband and I both are on

My husband and I both are on ssdi. He will turn 66 in 2019.so does that mean he will convert to just ss and his check amount will drop ?

Sun, 01/28/2018 - 22:51 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Linda Pierce (not verified)

Hi Linda,

Hi Linda,
It may stay the same amount when he converts from SSDI to retirement benefits.

Wed, 01/31/2018 - 12:57 Permalink
GG (not verified)

Currently I have been on

Currently I have been on Social Security disability. In July I reach my full retirement age where SSDI will transfer over to Social security. At this time, if I am able to do a small job, can I earn money and still draw my social security? Will my dependent's check be affected?

Mon, 01/29/2018 - 19:35 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by GG (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
Your benefits would be unaffected as there is no restrictions on work for those receiving retirement benefits.

Wed, 01/31/2018 - 15:39 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

I am currently on ss

I am currently on ss disability but will turn 66 in a few months. Can I try to work some once I turn 66? Do I have to wait till I'm notified of the switch from disabity to social security. Or is it automatic?

Tue, 01/30/2018 - 11:47 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
The SSA may automatically switch your benefits and then notify you via mail.

Wed, 01/31/2018 - 15:45 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

I would like to know at age

I would like to know at age 65 on ssd do they start taking out $130 from my check because I'm 65 now because they did aready

Wed, 01/31/2018 - 14:28 Permalink
diana jo wilson (not verified)

When my disability converts

When my disability converts to retirement will i still receive my medicare A B & D?

Thu, 02/01/2018 - 00:46 Permalink
Paul (not verified)

Is there a lapse between SSDI

Is there a lapse between SSDI and SSI?

Sat, 02/03/2018 - 14:43 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Paul (not verified)

HI Paul,

HI Paul,
There is no lapse between the two, you may be eligible to receive SSDI and SSI, or retirement benefits and SSI benefits, but not retirement benefits and SSDI benefits.

Tue, 02/06/2018 - 16:57 Permalink
Joe (not verified)

What is the "cap"

What is the "cap" for filing taxes
when recieving SSDI?

Mon, 02/05/2018 - 11:07 Permalink
robert stump (not verified)

I currently am on disability

I currently am on disability social security and drawing for myself and my wife when I turn 65 and retirement social security kicks in will my benefits drop?

Mon, 02/05/2018 - 13:16 Permalink
Judy Kanary (not verified)

I have been on social

I have been on social security disabilty and turned 66 in November 2017. On Jan 12 I went into the social security office with a letter from my doctor that he feels I can be my own payee. The lady took the information and told me a form would have to be faxed to my doctor and a notice to my sister who is my payee now that I am requested to be my own payee. Neither my doctor or my sister have received any form or letters. I have called twice to the case worker who started my case and I have left messages and she has not returned my call. Today is Feb 5, 2018 how long does it take to switch payee's are the process to get approved. Thank you .

Mon, 02/05/2018 - 17:20 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Judy Kanary (not verified)

HI Judy,

HI Judy,
Every case is different, so the time it takes can vary, you may want to follow up with the SSA regarding this.

Thu, 02/08/2018 - 11:56 Permalink
Vicky Briussard (not verified)

Will my husbands disability

Will my husbands disability check be lower when he hits retirement age

Mon, 02/05/2018 - 21:29 Permalink
Joy Suero (not verified)

I have been divorced now for

I have been divorced now for about 25 years.
I have been on permanent disability since 2002.
My X had been fortunate in his career.
He successfully completed 20 years serving our country,
He completed 20 years as a sherrif
And currently he is still working as a Security guard at a local high
School as pasty time, I was told he is retiring next year, he will be 60 years old.
I did some research of my own and asked around, I gathered some good informations...
Question:
IS IT A FACT THAT I WILL BE “ENTITLED” TO COLLECT A GOOD PORTION OF HIS SOCIAL SECURITY WHEN HE HITS THE AGE OF 62 YEARS OF AGE?, and
WITHOUT HIS KNOWLEDGE AND NOT AFFECTING THE AMOUNT OF HIS OWN RETIREMENT AMOUNT?
I would appreciate your advice...
Thank you,
Graciela

Wed, 02/07/2018 - 10:43 Permalink
Betty morris (not verified)

I will turn 65 next month and

I will turn 65 next month and on disability..will I get more income

Fri, 02/09/2018 - 09:11 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Betty morris (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
Generally your benefits would not change when your benefits convert to retirement.

Mon, 02/12/2018 - 14:45 Permalink
Susan Ranay Riggs (not verified)

My ex has never paid child

My ex has never paid child support and I have a court order, if I receive a part of his social security and he dies will I continue to collect his portion of social security?

Mon, 02/12/2018 - 07:45 Permalink
Deanna

In reply to by Susan Ranay Riggs (not verified)

Hi Susan,

Hi Susan,
Unfortunately I don't have a good answer for you--sometimes. Child support is run by Child Services, so that department might order your ex to use his SSDI benefits on child support, but it might not.

Thu, 02/15/2018 - 11:25 Permalink
Mary (not verified)

I am 62 and 3 months and was

I am 62 and 3 months and was advised by my Physician to apply for SSDI due to my health. Can I apply for SS and SSDI at the same time? I realize that I can't collect both but understand that SSDI may deny and the appeal process can be lengthy. Wish to apply for early retirement to bridge the income gap until SSDI is approved. Will collecting SS benefits while waiting to be approved for SSDI benefits decrease my full retirement amount at 66 and 2 mths?

Mon, 02/12/2018 - 08:09 Permalink
Deanna

In reply to by Mary (not verified)

Hi Mary,

Hi Mary,
You cannot, but always apply for SSDI first! If you're approved you'll receive what you'd get if you retired at 66, NOT a decrease. If you receive SS retirement you may not be eligible for disability benefits.

Thu, 02/15/2018 - 11:26 Permalink
James McLain (not verified)

Will my being on s.s.i. ever

Will my being on s.s.i. ever revert to s.s.d.i. and if so at what age.

Fri, 02/16/2018 - 14:05 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by James McLain (not verified)

Hi James,

Hi James,

It doesn't, SSI and SSDI are two different programs. If you are on SSI or SSDI, it does switch to regular retirement benefits once you hit the retirement age.

Mon, 02/19/2018 - 14:34 Permalink
dave s (not verified)

does anyone know if you are

does anyone know if you are on ssdi and reach full retirement age can you get a part time job? or will it screw up your social security benefits

Mon, 02/19/2018 - 10:52 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by dave s (not verified)

Hi Dave,

Hi Dave,

If it doesn't exceed the 2018 SGA limit, you should be okay. It is always best to double check with the SSA just in case though.

Mon, 02/19/2018 - 14:36 Permalink
MICHAEL RIFFLE (not verified)

BEEN ON DISABILITY FOR MANY

BEEN ON DISABILITY FOR MANY REASONS FOR 22 YEARS. WHEN I TURN 66 WILL MY AMMOUNT REMAIN THE SAME?

Sat, 02/24/2018 - 07:15 Permalink
Rose (not verified)

If someone is on SSDI,

If someone is on SSDI, working and paying into Social Security. When they reach full retirement age, will their retirement benefit be larger than their SSDI payment?

Mon, 02/26/2018 - 11:16 Permalink
D.Smith (not verified)

Did the ssa change the rules

Did the ssa change the rules for age change over, I was born in 53, BUT they lowered my ssdi from my jan. Amount to a lower amount in feb. When I turned 65,,, But it shouldn't have changed till I turned 66???

Wed, 02/28/2018 - 10:28 Permalink
Shelia Henson (not verified)

When my social security

When my social security starts how can I find out what I will get

Wed, 02/28/2018 - 15:25 Permalink

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