I am 62 and have been self employed in the IT Forensics for 30+ years. Had a bad motorcycle accident in April 2016 that hasn't settled, don't know when. I have lived since on my savings and some work I can do with my mind and part physical but I will never be able to do what I did before. I am not collecting SS yet and I was denied Disability citing I didn't have enough self employment credits? Ok so now the money is all gone I am barely gonna make November and have no clue what to do? I did apply for some electronics jobs and was hired by Walmart. (Awaiting background check over 2 weeks) and that will not be enough to sustain me fully. I am at a loss?

Hi,

To be insured for disability benefits, you must have 20 quarters of Social Security coverage within the 40 quarter period ending with when you became disabled. So, if you showed losses and didn't pay self-employment taxes in at least 5 of the 10 years prior to your accident, then you probably aren't insured for Social Security disability benefits.

However, if have at least 40 quarters of Social Security coverage during your lifetime you should be insured for retirement benefits. In that case, you could claim reduced retirement benefits now that you are age 62, but your benefits could be subject to full or partial withholding due to the Social Security earnings test (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/whileworking2.html).

Our maximization software can help you calculate your potential retirement benefit rate and can handle earnings test considerations, so you may want to consider using it to determine your best filing strategy.

Best, Jerry