Can I apply for SSDI at age 65 while already receiving retirement benefits?

Yes, you can technically apply for SSDI even after starting retirement benefits, but there are important considerations. This is called a "disability freeze" and it primarily protects your future benefit amounts by excluding the low/no earning years due to disability from your benefit calculation. However, at age 65, the potential advantage is limited because: 1. SSDI automatically converts to retirement benefits at your Full Retirement Age (FRA), which is between 66-67 depending on your birth year 2. The maximum benefit would be equal to your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) - what you would have received at your FRA 3. If you're already receiving reduced retirement benefits because you claimed at 65 (before your FRA), SSDI could potentially increase your benefit to the full PIA amount The process requires proving your disability began before you reached FRA, and that it meets SSA's strict definition of disability.

my sister tried to do this last year got denied twice. social security told her once u take retirement you cant get disability. maybe the rules changed?

I went through this exact situation in 2023! Started retirement at 65 then got very sick two months later. I filed for disability and after a 5-month process, they approved me and adjusted my benefit to the full amount I would have received at my full retirement age. It was about $430 more per month for me. You definitely can do this but be prepared for a complicated process and lots of medical documentation.

This is a somewhat specialized situation that many SSA representatives don't handle regularly. The key points: 1. You need to file SSA-16 (Application for Disability Insurance Benefits) 2. You must prove your disability began before you reach your Full Retirement Age 3. Medical evidence must show you meet SSA's definition of disability (inability to perform substantial gainful activity) 4. If approved, SSA will adjust your benefit to your full Primary Insurance Amount 5. This effectively removes the reduction for claiming early retirement One major challenge is that most local offices are still experiencing significant backlogs, and reaching someone by phone can take hours or even days of attempts. Documentation is absolutely critical in these cases.

Try using Claimyr to get through to a Social Security agent faster. I was in a similar situation last month - couldn't get anyone on the phone for days. A friend recommended this service at claimyr.com and I got through to SSA in about 20 minutes instead of waiting on hold for hours. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. Much better than waiting for weeks to get simple questions answered, especially for something complicated like disability after retirement.

THE SS SYSTEM IS BROKEN!!!! I tried to do EXACTLY what you're asking about in 2024 and got DENIED even though I had STAGE 4 CANCER!!! They said since I already took early retirement at 63, I couldn't get disability. Then I appealed and suddenly they said I COULD apply but would need to start the whole process over. Then they lost my medical records TWICE!!! I eventually gave up because the stress was making my health worse. Good luck but prepare for a NIGHTMARE!!!

Quick question - I'm confused about something. Isn't SSDI for people who haven't reached retirement age yet? I thought once you're getting retirement benefits, disability isn't an option anymore? That's what my cousin who works for the government told me.

Update: I finally spoke with someone at SSA yesterday. They confirmed I can apply for SSDI even though I'm receiving retirement benefits. They said if approved, my payment would increase to what I would have received at my full retirement age. I've started gathering all my medical records from the past year. Thanks everyone for your help and advice! I'll post again when I hear something.

my neighbor did this and got back pay too for the months since he got sick. dunno if they still do that but worth asking

Just wanted to add my perspective as someone who works in disability advocacy. What you're describing is absolutely possible, and I'm glad you were able to speak with someone at SSA who confirmed this. A few additional tips for your application: 1. Make sure to request your complete medical files from ALL providers who have treated your arthritis and heart condition - not just recent visits, but everything since your conditions began 2. Ask your doctors to complete RFC (Residual Functional Capacity) forms specifically describing your limitations 3. Keep a daily symptom diary documenting how your conditions affect your ability to perform basic activities 4. If you have any denials, don't give up - the appeals process often yields better results, especially with proper medical documentation The fact that your conditions are well-documented and clearly began before your FRA works in your favor. Best of luck with your application!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm 64 and took early retirement last year, but recently developed chronic kidney disease that's progressing rapidly. My nephrologist says I'll likely need dialysis within the next 6 months, which would make working impossible. Reading about the disability freeze and potential benefit increase gives me hope that I might have options. Has anyone here dealt specifically with kidney disease for SSDI approval? I'm wondering if conditions that worsen over time (rather than sudden onset) face different challenges in the approval process.

I've been following this discussion as someone who went through a similar process recently. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is the importance of timing your application strategically. Since you're already 65 and receiving reduced retirement benefits, you have a limited window to apply for SSDI before reaching your full retirement age (which sounds like it's 66 and 6 months for you). What really helped in my case was filing the SSDI application as soon as possible after my diagnosis, even while I was still gathering medical records. SSA allows you to submit additional evidence after filing, but they can't backdate your application beyond when you actually filed. Given that you mentioned your health has "gotten much worse" since starting retirement benefits, you'll want to establish a clear timeline showing when your conditions became disabling. Also, don't be discouraged if you get conflicting information from different SSA representatives - this is unfortunately common with these crossover cases between retirement and disability. The policy is clear that you can apply, but not all front-line staff are familiar with these more complex situations. Stay persistent and document everything!