Dear Rusty: I hope you can answer this question. I’m currently receiving Social Security Disability benefits, and I will be turning 65 in February 2026. I’m confused as to how Social Security Disability transitions to regular Social Security, and when. I assume it’s age 65 but maybe it’s my retirement date? Also, does the amount remain the same or will it change? I’m not working. I’ve been on SSDI for about 15 years. Thank you. Signed: Disabled Senior
Dear Disabled Senior: If you are collecting Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, those SSDI benefits will automatically convert to become your regular Social Security retirement benefit when you reach your SS full retirement age (FRA) which, in your case, is age 67. For information, FRA today is somewhere between age 66 and 67, depending on your year of birth, and the full retirement age for everyone born in 1960 or later is age 67.
The change from SSDI to your regular Social Security benefit will be transparent to you because your monthly benefit amount will remain the same. SSDI benefits were originally awarded to you based upon your full retirement age entitlement when you applied for SSDI (even though you hadn’t yet reached your FRA when you went on SSDI). Thus, the monthly benefit amount will not change because it is based on your lifetime earnings record, from before you became disabled.
FYI, although age 65 was once Social Security’s “retirement age,” full retirement age for Social Security today is based on the year you were born. So, your SSDI benefit will automatically switch to become your regular Social Security retirement benefit as soon as you reach age 67. Essentially, the only thing that will change is the Social Security Trust Fund from which your benefits will be paid.
This article is intended for information purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance. It presents the opinions and interpretations of the AMAC Foundation’s staff, trained and accredited by the National Social Security Association (NSSA). NSSA and the AMAC Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other governmental entity. To submit a question, visit our website (amacfoundation.org/programs/social-security-advisory) or email us at [email protected].
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Wow,
So let’s say this SSDI recipient drawed $1000.00 a month for 15 years plus cost of adjustment raises, this person had already benefited $120000.00 over the last 15 years without paying into SS and or SSDI!
NO disrespect but you have already surpassed your ” normal” working credits ( Eligible working credits) which takes at least 10 solid working years of actual working and paying into SS to become eligible.
The math on how SS works is ” Fuzzy” math because if you have not paid in more than you actually drawn then it’s a negative not a positive bank account.
Just saying…