I am on social security disability and wanted to know can I apply for early retirement benefits?

Hi,

I assume by 'early retirement benefits' you're referring to Social Security retirement benefits. You could apply for Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62 even if you're drawing Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits, but you couldn't be paid both benefits at the same time. You'd have to choose which benefit that you want to draw, and since SSDI benefits are not reduced for age you'd be likely be taking a benefit cut if you switch to drawing retirement benefits prior to full retirement age (FRA).

SSDI benefits are calculated at 100% of a person's primary insurance amount (PIA), as are Social Security retirement benefits if you start drawing them at FRA. However, Social Security retirement benefits are reduced for age if you start drawing them prior to FRA, so opting to switch from SSDI to retirement benefits at age 62 would result in a benefit rate reduction of roughly 25% to 30% depending on the person's year of birth. About the only times that switching from SSDI to retirement benefits prior to FRA may be advantageous is if a) the person's SSDI benefits are being offset due to the receipt of workers compensation or public disability benefits, or b) if auxiliary beneficiaries eligible for benefits on the disabled worker's record would be eligible for higher payments if the worker switched to retirement benefits.

Best, Jerry