Ask Larry

If I'm on Disability, How Can We Maximize Our Benefits?

Hi, I purchased your book last year. The major benefit reduction factor is that my wife (DOB 1/25/50) receives a sizable pension from STRS of Ohio. She elected early Social Security retirement benefits at 62 which are minuscule (now $136/month due to state pension reduction factors). Another factor complicating timing my Social Security is that I have been receiving SSDI (now $2,420) since my age 56. It is my understanding that I will not be eligible for Social Security until I turn 67 (DOB 7/16/50) and that the SSDI will be automatically converted to Social Security at that time. Should I direct Social Security to do something differently before then to maximize our benefits? Thanks, Rich

Hi Rich, your disability benefit will be automatically converted to a standard retirement benefit at your full retirement age (FRA), which for you is 66, not 67. At your FRA, you can suspend what will then be your retirement benefit up to age 70 and earn 8% Delayed Retirement Credits per year, applied monthly. Our software can account for your current disability benefit and your wife's non-covered pension and calculate your household's maximized strategy. Thanks, John

Posted: 
Jun 28 2016 - 11:00pm
MaxiFi software running on a laptop
Get What's Yours!
Discover tens of thousands in extra retirement dollars with Maximize My Social Security software!
  • Find your maximized strategy
  • Unlimited what-ifs
  • Step-by-Step filing instructions
  • Our software's lifetime-benefit increase for an illustrative couple earning $65K each and planning to take retirement benefits at 62.

    Results will differ based on your specific case and filing strategy.

Getting Started is Easy
Web-based software. Works on ALL browsers. No download.