Ask Larry

How Will My Income Change When I Turn Age 65?

I have been drawing my social security disability since 1997 and my widows benefits since 2017 from my deceased husband. I will turn 65 on May 2023. How will my income change when I do turn 65.

Hi. Your benefit rate won't change as a result of you reaching age 65. However, since you were apparently already drawing Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits when you started drawing widow's benefits, effective with the month you reach full retirement age (FRA) Social Security should remove any reduction for age that was originally applied to your excess widow's benefit rate. If you were born on any day in May 1958 other than May 1st, you would reach your survivor benefit FRA in September 2024 (https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/404/404-0409.htm).

Removing the age reduction applied to your widow's rate should increase your overall benefit rate at least somewhat, unless your deceased spouse collected reduced Social Security retirement benefits prior to his death. Even if you are due a rate increase when you reach FRA, though, Social Security may not process the increase immediately upon your reaching FRA. However, once they do process the recalculation they would pay you any back pay to which you're entitled.

Best, Jerry

Category: 
Posted: 
Feb 10 2023 - 11:43am
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