It is common for our clients to inquire
about the interplay between Social Security Disability Insurance (“SSDI”) benefits
and retirement benefits administered by the Social Security Administration (“SSA”).
While both programs are governed by the SSA, each program has its own distinct
rules and regulations.
You can apply for SSDI benefits at any
time, as long as you have earned enough credits of coverage from working to
qualify for the program. In order to apply for retirement, however, you must meet
SSA’s age requirements. You can start to receive retirement benefits as early as
age 62 and as late as age 70. If you opt to take benefits on the earlier side
of the retirement age range, your benefits will be reduced, however.
You can apply for SSDI, as long as you
haven’t hit your full retirement age. Once you hit your full retirement age,
you are barred from filing for SSDI. You can still apply for SSDI if you are
receiving early retirement though.
SSA will simply pay you the difference between your SSDI rate and your early retirement
amount should you be awarded benefits.
If you are receiving SSDI and hit your
full retirement age, SSA will pay you the higher benefit amount out of the two
programs. Thus, if your SSDI amount is higher than your retirement amount, you
will continue to receive the SSDI benefit rate. If your retirement rate is
higher than your SSDI rate, SSA will pay you the retirement rate. Either way,
SSA will begin to refer to your benefit as “retirement” rather than “disability”
as this is preferential for their statistical purposes. You are never able to collect
both benefits simultaneously though.
Got a question about SSDI or SSI that you
need us to answer? Please check out our website at www.westcoastdisability.com . We try to
provide you with helpful information on our website that will allow you to successfully
navigate the Social Security Disability process. Also, feel free to email me
your questions at megan@westcoastdisability.com or call me at (800)
459-3017 x 103.
