I am on SSDI temporarily since 2011, I collect $1,420 from my deceased husbands recorded payment to SSA. I think the penalty is 25%.. I am 63 years old this year, born in 1954. I also collect widows pension of $720 monthly from VA. I have not worked since my disability ruling. ( 3 ) Questions: can I qualify for more SSDI before I turn 66? When I turn 66, in October, 2017, do I get the 25% penalty eliminated? Will full retirement affect my widows pension from the VA?

Hi,

I'm confused about what you're receiving. SSDI is the abbreviation for Social Security disability benefits paid on a person's own record. If you're already receiving SSDI, that benefit rate won't change when you reach full retirement age (FRA). SSDI benefits automatically convert to regular retirement benefits at the same rate when the recipient reaches FRA.

It sounds like you may be receiving disabled widow's benefits (DWB), which are based on a deceased spouse's work record. DWB benefits can start as early as age 50, but the benefit rate is reduced by 28.5% from the rate that the widow(er) would have received at FRA. The 28.5% reduction is permanent unless the disabled widow(er) was already receiving SSDI benefits when he or she become entitled to DWB benefits.

So, if you receive both SSDI and DWB benefits then the 28.5% reduction in your DWB rate may be removed when reach FRA, but only if your SSDI benefits started before or at the same time as your DWB benefits. I am not an expert on VA benefits, so I don't know what effect a change in your Social Security benefit rate might have on your VA widow's benefits.

Best, Jerry