What Is The Connection Between SSDI Benefits And Retirement Benefits?

Getting hurt and being unable to work can be one of the most difficult experiences in a person’s life, even if that person is nearing retirement. Yet beyond the mere difficulties of dealing with the physical and psychological consequences of being unable to work, a debilitating illness or injury can also give rise to various complications concerning the injured person’s eligibility for benefits. One question or issue that often comes up when a person sustains a serious injury as they are nearing the age of retirement is how Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, known more commonly as simply SSDI benefits, are related to general Social Security benefits upon retirement.

Since the Social Security Administration (SSA) handles applications for SSDI benefits as well as Social Security retirement benefits, what do you need to know about the relationship between the two types and benefits? And, more specifically, will you continue to receive SSDI benefits once you become eligible age-wise to receive Social Security retirement benefits?

Age Does Not Necessarily Impact Your SSDI Benefits 

The first thing to know is that an injured person can be eligible for SSDI benefits regardless of age, as long as that person seeking SSDI benefits is under the age of 65. To be sure, as long as you meet the other requirements to receive SSDI benefits, it does not matter if you are 25 years old or 64 years old—you can seek disability benefits through the SSA. In order to be eligible, you must be able to prove:

• You have a disability according to the SSA, which means the disability is severe enough that it prevents you from engaging in substantial gainful activity for at least one year, or that the disabling condition is expected to result in your death; and
• You have worked long enough, and put in enough hours, that you have paid sufficiently into the SSDI insurance system and can receive SSDI benefits.

If you meet these requirements, you can seek SSDI benefits if you are under the age of 65.

SSDI Benefits Can Convert to Social Security Retirement 

While you may be eligible to seek SSDI benefits as long as you are younger than the full retirement age of 65 identified by the SSA, you should know that your SSDI benefits will likely convert to Social Security retirement benefits once you turn 65. To be clear, you will not be able to receive both SSDI benefits and Social Security retirement benefits—you cannot receive SSDI payments in addition to ordinary retirement income through the SSA. Once you turn 65, the good news is that you will not need to continue providing the SSA with detailed information about your medical condition since you will receive your retirement benefits regardless of the status of your disabling condition.

Contact Our National Social Security Disability Attorneys 

If you have any questions about seeking SSDI benefits in connection with your retirement, one of our experienced national Social Security disability lawyers is here to assist you. Contact the Law Offices of Stephen Barszcz today for more information about the services we provide to injured people who need help obtaining the disability benefits they deserve. We serve clients across the country in disability benefits cases.