Will My Disability Benefits Change When I Turn 65?
As Social Security Disability attorneys in Tennessee, we often hear from clients who wonder what will happen to their Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits when they reach retirement age. Many worry about potential changes to their monthly payments or fear losing benefits entirely.
To better understand this important transition, continue reading or contact our legal team today at (865) 299-7080.
When Does SSDI End?
Your SSDI benefits don’t simply stop when you get older. Instead, they smoothly convert to retirement benefits when you reach your full retirement age. This conversion happens automatically, and most importantly, it won’t change the amount of money you receive each month.
When Does Social Security Disability Convert to Regular Social Security Retirement Benefits?
Many people ask us, “Will my SSDI change when I turn 62?” While 62 is the earliest age you can claim Social Security retirement benefits, your SSDI benefits will not automatically convert. This is because the conversion only happens when you reach full retirement age.
62 is the age when you can claim early retirement benefits. If you claim these benefits, your monthly payments will be reduced by a percentage until you reach full retirement age. This age varies depending on your birth year.
For most people receiving SSDI today, the full retirement age falls between 66 and 67 years old. If you were born in 1960 or later, your full retirement age is 67. This is when your disability benefits will convert to retirement benefits.
Full retirement ages for other birth years are:
- 1937 or earlier: 65 years old
- 1938-1942: 65 years old plus 2-10 months, depending on the year
- 1943-1954: 66 years old
- 1955-1959: 66 years old plus 2-10 months, depending on the year
It should be noted that you can collect both SSDI and early retirement benefits at the same time. However, you cannot collect SSDI on top of full retirement benefits.
What Changes To Expect
When SSDI converts to regular Social Security benefits, very little changes from your perspective. Your monthly payment amount stays the same, and you don’t need to file any paperwork or make any phone calls. The Social Security Administration (SSA) handles the entire process.
One positive change is that you’ll no longer need to worry about Continuing Disability Reviews. Once your benefits convert to retirement benefits, the Social Security Administration stops conducting these periodic reviews of your medical condition.
Your Healthcare Coverage
SSDI recipients receive Medicare coverage after 24 months. If you’re receiving SSDI when you reach your full retirement age, your Medicare coverage will continue without interruption when your benefits convert. You don’t need to take any action to maintain your healthcare coverage.
The Final Conclusion
When your disability benefits convert to regular Social Security, the process should be seamless. Your monthly payment amount remains stable, your Medicare coverage continues, and you no longer face disability reviews. The main difference is simply the classification of your benefits within the SSA’s system.
What Happens To SSI When You Reach Retirement Age?
Unlike SSDI, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) doesn’t automatically convert to Social Security retirement benefits when you reach full retirement age. However, you will not lose your SSI benefits either. Once you turn 65, your SSI payments will continue. You will simply start to receive them under the eligibility of an “aged” recipient.
It’s important to note that some SSI recipients can qualify for some retirement benefits. This is true even if you couldn’t qualify for SSDI due to a limited work history. At age 62, if you worked long enough to receive some retirement benefits, you must apply for early retirement. Fortunately, this doesn’t mean your benefit amount will decrease.
You can receive early retirement and SSI benefits at the same time, as long as the total doesn’t exceed the SSI maximum.
We Can Help You Understand Your Rights
Navigating the Social Security system can feel overwhelming, especially when facing changes to your benefits. At Drozdowski & Rabin, PLLC, we help Knoxville residents understand their rights and options regarding Social Security Disability. Our experienced attorneys can answer your questions about the conversion process and ensure you receive all the benefits you’re entitled to under the law.
If you have questions about SSDI, like what happens to SSDI when you turn 65 or how retirement benefits work, we can help. Our legal team can address any concerns you have about Social Security Disability benefits, applications, appeals, and more.
We understand that every situation is unique, and we’re committed to providing personalized guidance to each client. We have over 100 years of combined legal experience helping people with disabilities seek financial support. We focus solely on SSDI and SSI cases.
Contact us online or call (865) 299-7080 today to schedule a free case evaluation. Our attorneys will take the time to understand your situation and answer all your questions about keeping and receiving SSDI benefits. We’re here to help you navigate the retirement transition with confidence!
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