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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

Jack (not verified)

Does the amount change ,,my retirement age would be 67,,would my amount be same ad my ssdi is now,,,or does amount drop on ssi

Sun, 04/22/2018 - 19:03 Permalink
Paul (not verified)

I was born in 1959 and my social security disability benefits stopped May of last year, at age 57, because I started working. When I reach age 66 years and 10 months, does my social security retirement automatically go back to the same amount I would get for social security disability at that time, or would it be a higher amount? Also, if I worked until age 70 instead before retiring, how much more could I get from social security retirement? Thanks.

Wed, 05/16/2018 - 12:27 Permalink
Eric

Hi Paul,

I think it would be based on whatever your salary/benefits package is at your employer. However, to be sure I would double check with the SSA to be safe.

Thu, 05/17/2018 - 12:00 Permalink
Ron (not verified)

I am collecting Social Security disability I turn 62 next month will my social security disability be switch to Social Security

Thu, 05/31/2018 - 20:44 Permalink
Cheryl (not verified)

I am 65 and on Social Security Disability. I need clarity on working part time and would Social Security deduct 50% of earnings on my SS check? It is so confusing.
* I have read that a person can work but earnings + SS check can't go over 17K a year.
* I have also read that they will cancel you if you work more than a few months part time.
* I have also read that at full retirement age (for me it is 66, there will be no limit on my earnings.
I barely get by, so I have been trying to find answers to these questions.

Would appreciate your response
Cheryl

Thu, 06/07/2018 - 19:28 Permalink
rsg

Hi Cheryl,

You can work when receiving SSDI. If you make over $850 a month you enter the TWP. Each month that you work and make over that amount will count toward your TWP.

Fri, 06/08/2018 - 13:53 Permalink
Bonnie (not verified)

I am 65 and receive SSID. When will I be able to change it to retirement. I will be 66 in January. Will my amount change that I receive now

Thu, 06/14/2018 - 14:28 Permalink
Linda (not verified)

I took an early retirement, July 1, 2011. I was 54 years old and worked at the same place for 38 years. I was sick, but didn’t apply for SSD until March of 2012. I am still collecting SSD. I will be 62 in June 2019. Will my SSD convert to retirement SS at age 62 or 65?

Wed, 08/15/2018 - 22:40 Permalink
Steve? (not verified)

I am presantly 63 with a birthday in November will my social security benefits lesson when I turn 66 or will they stay the same

Fri, 11/16/2018 - 11:49 Permalink
Joann (not verified)

I'm on SSDI, at just over 800.00 per mo. When I turn 66, and this changes to SS retirement, will I get an increase? Also, why do most women get far less on SSDI than men?

Mon, 11/19/2018 - 11:35 Permalink
Eric

Hi Joann,

No it will not increase, it will remain the same.

As for your other question, that isn't that case. Everyone's disability and situation is different, which is why some get paid more than others. It has nothing to do with someone's gender.

Wed, 11/21/2018 - 12:29 Permalink
craig (not verified)

currently receiving ssdi and would like to know when I turn 62 early ret. can I receive regular ss which is more than disability?

Fri, 11/30/2018 - 14:02 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

If ur sentanced to house arrest and not jail time because u have to pay weekly allowance will u still lose ssdi?

Mon, 01/07/2019 - 20:15 Permalink
Nancy (not verified)

My children receive ssdi through me. When they are 18, will i then receive their dollar amount in addition to my ssdi?

Thu, 03/21/2019 - 07:02 Permalink
rsg

Hi Nancy,

The benefits they receive now are in addition to your own to help offset their own expenses. Because they are in addition to yours, you will not receive them once they turn 18. But, as your older children turn 18, then younger ones may see a bigger payment.

Thu, 03/21/2019 - 15:55 Permalink
Len G. (not verified)

I am receiving disability Social Security benefits. When I reach retirement age, will my benefit be reduced?
Thank you...

Wed, 04/03/2019 - 01:56 Permalink
JimmyLee (not verified)

Question? .....I have been on social security disability for about 8 years with ortho and PTSD. I was a licensed mortician for over 25 years ... I make around 1,600 per month I will convert to standard retirement when I’m 66 do to the fact I was born in 1954 I am pretty disabled but would like to try some small work at home making no more than say 300.00 per month I understand that social security will let you earn 720.00 per month without any problems ...I just don’t want to possibly lose my benefits or have them challenged with only about a year and a half to go? However could really help with a little extra income....any thought would be so helpful ? Sincerely

Tue, 04/23/2019 - 22:52 Permalink
rsg

Hi JimmyLee,

If it's around $300 a month you should be fine! If you were to make around $880 a month, that is when you enter the ticket to work program.

Wed, 04/24/2019 - 16:35 Permalink
Miki (not verified)

I asked for a rep payee because I felt I needed one at the time. I will be retirement age next year and fel I don't need my rep payee anymore. How do I change no rep payee?

Thu, 05/16/2019 - 11:43 Permalink
rsg

Hi There,

If you do not meet the qualifying criteria, don't have enough evidence to support your claim, etc. then your claim may be denied.

Wed, 07/31/2019 - 15:49 Permalink
Henry Reed (not verified)

I started drawing social security benefits in September of 2010 which was one month before turning 65. Of course, since 2011 at age 66, the Social Security Administration states that I draw "regular" monthly social security benefits. I do not recall ever completing an application for SSDI though I have been disabled from the Army since 1988. How do I know that I received SSDI from Social Security prior to its becoming "regular" when turning 66? I would like to make sure that I am drawing social security based on disability, but I don't know..... Thanks for any advice!

Wed, 10/09/2019 - 16:31 Permalink
rsg

Hi Harvey,

We're not affiliated with the SSA, so we can't give you an answer on if you are receiving Social Security disability or not. There's a couple of ways you can find out. You can create a MySSA account to get access to information on your benefits, call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213, or visit your local SSA office to find out information on your benefits specifically.

Wed, 10/09/2019 - 16:33 Permalink

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