Everyday People Matter

WHAT HAPPENS TO MY SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS WHEN I RETIRE?

| May 1, 2019 | Social Security Administration (SSA)

There will come a time when you are no longer eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits, even if you are still not medically fit enough to earn a sustainable income. When you reach retirement age and become eligible for retirement benefits, you may no longer be eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits. Full Social Security retirement benefits are available for seniors between the ages of 65 and 67.  If you have reached retirement age and are receiving Social Security disability benefits, your Social Security disability benefits will automatically turn into retirement benefits. You do not have to apply to receive your retirement benefits.

In some cases, individuals may apply for early retirement at age 62. In such cases, they may be eligible for partial retirement benefits. In these special cases, these individuals may continue to receive Social security disability benefits as well as retirement benefits. However, they will not receive double benefits. They will only receive disability benefits so that they can receive their full benefit amount. There will be a cap on the retirement benefits a person can recover, just as there is a cap on the disability benefits he is eligible for.

Retirement benefits, unlike disability benefits, however, may increase with years. For instance, if you wait till you are 70 years old to access your retirement benefits instead of accessing them at age 62, you are likely to receive higher benefits payable every month.

If you have questions about what happens to your disability benefits once you reach retirement age, talk to Lisa Smith Siegel, disability benefits attorney.