Can I draw early retirement benefits from Social Security and receive Social Security Disability Insurance benefits at the same time?
Lately, a number of my clients have asked me whether they can receive early retirement benefits from Social Security and, at the same time, also receive Social Security Disability Insurance (“SSDI”) benefits. Believe it or not, the answer is “yes” in many cases. Suppose that Susan B. Anthony, who is currently 62 years old and lives in Troy, Ohio, worked for 30 years at the Spacely Sprockets factory in Wilmington. She has leukemia, and as a result of her condition, she had to stop working on June 1, 2010. At that time, she did not apply for SSDI benefits. Now that she has reached age 62, she would like to begin drawing early retirement benefits from Social Security. She also wants to apply for SSDI benefits.
Normally, were Susan to elect to draw early retirement benefits, the amount she would receive would be reduced by 25% compared to drawing benefits at full retirement age. For example, if Susan would have received a monthly retirement benefit of $1,000.00 had she retired at age 66 (the full retirement age for someone born in 1949), then her monthly early retirement benefit would be $750.00. If she were married, then her spouse’s benefit would be reduced by 30%. Furthermore, Susan’s monthly benefit would not increase once she reached full retirement age—the 25% reduction would be permanent.
In Susan’s case, however, she stopped working as the result of her disability. Because her disability forced her to stop working before she reached full retirement age (again, Susan is currently 62; her full retirement age would have been 66), Susan could effectively receive her full retirement benefit if her application for SSDI benefits is approved.
Assume that Susan began drawing her early retirement benefits shortly after her 62nd birthday, which was July 1, 2011. She then applied for SSDI benefits. On her application, she listed June 1, 2010, as the date on which her disability began. A decision on an application for SSDI benefits usually takes several months, and can sometimes take longer. Suppose, therefore, that the Social Security Administration approves Susan’s application for SSDI benefits on December 1, 2011, and that it determines that Susan’s disability began on June 1, 2010.
In this scenario, Susan would be paid her SSDI benefits retroactively from January, 2011, through July, 2011—when she started receiving her early retirement benefits. Then, for August, 2011, through December, 2011, Susan would be paid the difference between her early retirement benefit, which she already received, and her full retirement benefit. From December, 2011, onward, Susan would receive SSDI payments in the amount of her full, monthly retirement benefit. Effectively, because Susan’s early retirement was the product of her disability, the Social Security Administration treats her as if she had stopped working at her full retirement age.
Keep in mind that the foregoing example only applies when the Social Security Administration approves an application for SSDI benefits. For instance, had her application for SSDI benefits had been denied, Susan would have received only her reduced, early retirement benefit.
In addition, the amount of Susan’s monthly benefit would also have been different had the Social Security Administration determined that her disability began on a later date. Had the Social Security Administration determined that Susan’s disability began on September 1, 2011, then Susan would be treated as if she retired two months early (i.e. full retirement age less, less two months). In other words, if the date on which Susan’s disability officially began (as determined by the Social Security Administration) came before the date on which she stopped working, then she would be treated as if she had stopped working at her full retirement age. On the other hand, if the date on which her disability officially began came after the date on which she stopped working, then she would be treated as if she had retired early.
Drawing Social Security early retirement benefits and receiving SSDI benefits at the same time is possible. For some, this is the best option. For others, waiting until full retirement age to begin drawing benefits is the best option. If you have questions about early retirement and SSDI benefits please contact the Law Offices of John T. Nicholson at 1-800-596-1533 for a free consultation.
Thank you for this article. I called the social security office in Toledo, Ohio and a lady by the name of Pat gave me some false information. I called them back after reading this and the man confirmed the information that you have posted here. You might have just saved me from losing years of benefits at the lower early retirement amount.
You have provided some excellent information on early social security benefits that people can receive, dependent on their condition. The way you write is so clear and concise, which is really great and useful for the layman reading through your website looking for information.
With that said, a lot of what is in this article relates heavily to things I have seen in my own life. A few years ago, my aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer (among a few other diseases); and she was able to successfully acquire early social security from an early retirement and her disability. This was a great thing because she would have had very little to live on without the little extra money she was able to receive. Unfortunately, she ended up passing away not to long after this occurrence; so in many ways the money she was able to receive was used by the family to fund her funeral costs and so on. Having access to this money, especially when someone is managing a very debilitating and life-threatening illness is extremely important. Not only for the individual, but for the entire family.
I had to retire early because if s disability. I am not receiving full benefits and Iam currently 63 years old and would like to know if I would be able to receive full retirement benefits.
This article is spot on. I drew my early disability while I was waiting on my social security disability to go through.
I will have 20 years of Federal Government service on 02.24.13 at age 58, and
think I will retire then. I have been profoundly deaf since age of 3.
Question: Can I apply for SSDI benefits upon retirement at age 58 and receive the benefit?
And it looks like I can’t start receiving my early SS reitrement benefit until 62 if I want to start that early, is that correct?
Is it correct that I can start receiving SSDI benefit from age 58 until I turn 62 if I want to start early SS retirement benefit? Or Can I receive both SSDI benefit at 58, then SS benefit at 62 at the same time? Approx. how much monthly would I be receiving those benefits?
I have been on ssi and recieve $854.00 dollars per month and been getting it for the past 23 month. I turned 62 this month. My condition has become worse as I had a triple by pass open heart and now all 3 vains placed in my heart have colapsed and other illnesses have been added including extreem anxiety. What can I get and what to do?
Thru my work I have a retirement plan and have not worked any since june 2012, In process of trying to get social sec. disabilty tru my long term disability insurance. Question can I draw my retirement from work without it affecting my ssdi in which it would probably be less than 600.00 a month
I am 62 and have worked 22yrs for federal gov. My question is, almost a year ago I was diagnosed with Fybriod Myalgia, 5 years ago, diverticulitist, this past 6 months things have gotten so bad, I am to go in for surgery to remove part of my colon, the stiffness, swelling and pain in arms,shoulders,and legs has gotten worse and have to wonder if the meds didn’t contribute to the infamation in mycolon. My question is do these things sound like I could qualify for ssdi? I am looking at early retirement either way. But if I would qualify for ssdi to supplement me to my regular retirement age so I could get full benefits, would be much better! I had planned to work till I was 70 cause I like my job, but it is so hard to get up most mornings, I get up at 4:30 to have enough time to get ready and be at work at 7:45 am. By the time I am at work I can hardly move again. I am reeally tired of all the pain and stiffness not to mention feeling exhausted before day is half over. I could possibly take stronger pain pills, but the damage they cause on my body, I don’t know that it would be worth loosing a kidney or even my liver for, not ready to take that chance. Please let me know what you think?
I had been drawing disability on myself since I was very young, my dad passed away and they took away my disability and I now draw from my dads ss. Shouldn’t I still draw from my own disability?
I was badly injured with a lower back injury I have had two surgeries with no success I am getting ssd iam 53 years old I called my company that use to work for they said I couldn’t get my retirement until 55 is this true
husband has been drawing ss since age 62…he is now 75 and has become disabled because of a stroke.
can he draw disability thru Social Security?
I drew early retirement about april 2011, have suffered from depression most my life and now can’t hold a job even part-time. Can I apply for disability so as to get full retirement? I’ll be 64 this december 2014. Thank you, Rick.
I have kidney failure at age 60 received disability and received a letter that I will be cut off because I made more than 750 a month ,but now that I am 65 can I continue to receive retirement disability.
I have been drawing ssdi for 3years I will be 62 next year , will I be able to draw my social security that I have paid in all of 40 years of working? Thank you for any help.
I am 62 working for 40 years drawing ssdi for 3 years can I draw my social security check that I have paid in after working all of those years? Thank you for any help!
I am 77 yr old female . I draw SS check each mo. .. l am a diabetic with heart disease and one blocked (carotid) artery……l can not work anymore . Can I draw disability with SS. ?
I am a 60 year old man. I worked 36 years service before I became total disabled in 2010. I was wanting to know when I turn 62 can I draw disability and social security at the same time or will I be switched over to social security? If so are they any difference between the pay and will socal security administration contact me if there is any chance. Thanks
I’m retired military with 90% disabled through the va. I have 19 years with the postal service. If I retire today for health reasons and apply for social security disability would this effect my retirement benefits or should I wait and draw regular ss benefits at age 62?
IF I RETIRE AFTER WORKING WITH READING DISABILITY OVER 30 CAN I GET SSI
I receive SSI am I able to collect Social Security also I am 56
I have been drawing earlt retirement from social security for 3 years. I was also working full time, and had LTD through my employer. I was recently approved for SSDI and my monthly payment increased by $311 monthly. How much of my social security benefits will I have to repay Prudential (my ltd ins. co) ? Because Social Security doesn’t separate regular retirement benefits from disability on the payments, Prudential is claiming everything they paid me including my regular retirement benefits must be repaid to them….Is that possible?
I have been on Ssdi for 6 years now. Can I try to get ssi now does not look like I will be goick to work I’m 57.
my husbands disability started this year and he will never be able to go back to work, he will be 62 on January 21st..will he also be able to collect his social security too?