Ask Larry

What Will Happen To My Medical Coverage When I Start Receiving My Social Security Retirement Benefits?

I am on SSI and just turned 62 so am forced to now receive ss retirement benefits. What happens to my disability medical coverage?

Hi,

I can't give you a definite answer since I don't know what kind of medical coverage you have, or how much your Social Security retirement benefit will be. Medicaid is a needs based benefit, so if that's the medical coverage that you have then your continuing eligibility probably depends on the amount of your Social Security benefit. If your Social Security benefit rate is lower than your SSI rate, then it probably wouldn't have any adverse effect on Medicaid eligibility. However, if your Social Security benefit rate is high enough, it could cause you to no longer qualify for either Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid.

You may want to check with the agency that administers your medical coverage for a more definitive answer. If nothing else, as long as you have enough credits to receive Social Security benefits, you'll qualify for Medicare once you reach age 65.

Best, Jerry

Category: 
Posted: 
Jan 8 2021 - 2:12pm
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