Normandy, France

Hi Ben,
I’ve been getting SSDI based on my own work for several years now and I’ll be coming up on the normal retirement age, 66, in a couple of years. I was wondering if my disability benefit amount will change once I hit retirement age?

Otto
Moquah, WI

Dear Otto,

Someone in your situation cannot receive Social Security disability benefits in addition to or instead of retirement benefits. Once a person is over the full retirement age (now 66), he or she cannot be eligible for Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB.) A person can only receive DIB if younger than the full retirement age and no longer able to do substantial work because of a disabling condition.

For those receiving DIB when turning full retirement age, the payments become retirement benefits. The benefit amount is the same as before, but the rules regarding work, Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA), and medical reviews no longer apply since the payments are technically no longer disability benefits. Similarly, Widow(er) Disability Benefits (WDB) essentially become Widow(er) Benefits when the widow(er) turns full retirement age.

One way to look at DIB or WDB payments is as a form of early retirement benefits intended to tide a person over until reaching full retirement age when those payments automatically become retirement benefits.

Note, however, that Childhood Disability Benefits (often called Disabled Adult Child or DAC benefits) are different. Those who are entitled to DAC benefits continue to receive them past full retirement age as long as they remain disabled. It is unlikely a Childhood Disability Beneficiary would ever medically recover after full retirement age, but the disability rules regarding work, SGA, and work incentives still apply.

Ben