Ask Larry

Would I Get More If I Switched From Disability To Regular Social Security At Age 62?

I have been on social security disability for 21 years. This year I will be turning 62. I was wondering if I switched to social security if I would get more money. I know I would have to pay for Medicare insurance and probably would not get my secondary insurance paid for. I do not understand how this all works. Thank you in advance for helping me.

Hi,

No. Unless your disability benefit (SSDI) rate is being reduced due to the receipt of workers compensation or public disability benefits, if you switched to Social Security retirement benefits at age 62 you'd get about 26.5% less than what your getting on SSDI. So, unless you could qualify for additional benefits on another record such as spousal or survivor benefits, your best option would almost certainly be to simply stay on SSDI until you reach your full retirement age (FRA). Then at FRA your SSDI benefits will convert to regular Social Security retirement benefits at the same rate as your SSDI.

Best, Jerry

Posted: 
Jun 22 2018 - 5:02pm
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