Can I collect Social Security disability while already receiving retirement benefits and have AFLAC coverage for knee surgery?

No, you can't collect Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) if you're already collecting Social Security retirement benefits. They essentially come from the same pot. Once you've started collecting retirement, you can't switch to disability. Your AFLAC policy should provide some coverage during your recovery period though - that's exactly what it's designed for. Check your specific policy for details on how much and how long they'll pay.

The previous commenter is correct - you can't receive both SSDI and retirement at the same time. However, there's more to consider. If your disability started before your full retirement age (FRA) and you took early retirement, you might have been eligible for higher disability payments instead. But since you're already collecting retirement, that ship has sailed. Regarding AFLAC, carefully read your policy. Some AFLAC policies only cover specific events or have waiting periods. The key is whether you have their short-term disability policy specifically, not just their accident or hospital policies.

I went thru similiar last year with my hip replacement!!! AFLAC was a LIFESAVER but they only covered me for 12 weeks. Check ur policy!!!! I had the short term disability one. They dont pay much but it helped with bills when i was out.

I think your mixing up SSA disability with private disability insurance which are TOTALLY different things. Social Security Disability is for ppl who cant work AT ALL for at least 12 months or have a terminal condition. Knee surgery doesnt qualify unless there's major complications. Your AFLAC is short term private insurance and thats what you need to use here. But be warned they might try to deny your claim - they did with my husband's back surgery! Fight it if they do!

This is a common confusion, so don't feel bad. To clarify the rules: 1. Once you elect to receive Social Security retirement benefits, you cannot switch to SSDI 2. SSDI requires a disability expected to last at least 12 months or result in death 3. SSDI also has a 5-month waiting period before benefits begin For your 4-month recovery, AFLAC should provide coverage if you have their short-term disability policy. Have you contacted your AFLAC representative directly? They can review your specific policy and explain exactly what you'll receive. Also, check if your employer offers any paid medical leave or if you qualify for state disability benefits, depending on where you live.

I was in a similar situation last year and tried calling SSA directly to ask about this exact scenario. Spent THREE HOURS on hold before getting disconnected. Tried again the next day and same thing happened! Absolutely maddening when you're just trying to plan your finances for a surgery.

One more thing to consider: if your AFLAC policy doesn't cover the full recovery period, you might want to look into whether you've worked long enough to qualify for FMLA job protection (12 weeks) and if you have any paid time off you can use to supplement your income during recovery. Also, some knee replacements now have shorter recovery periods - maybe get a second opinion to see if there are any minimally invasive options that might reduce your time away from work?

U should talk to your HR dept too!!!! Mine had some kind of salary continuation plan I didnt even know about. Got 60% of my pay for 6 weeks before AFLAC kicked in!!!

The whole system is SO CONFUSING on purpose they want people to give up trying to get benefits they deserve!!!! When I called SSA about my retirement they couldn't even explain my own benefits clearly and gave different answers everytime I called!!!! Good luck with your surgery though knee replacements are much better now than they used to be my uncle was walking in 6 weeks

To address your original question from another angle: if you hadn't started collecting retirement benefits yet, and your disability was expected to last 12+ months, applying for SSDI might have made financial sense. SSDI payments are roughly equivalent to your full retirement age benefit, even if you're not at FRA yet. For example, if your full retirement age benefit would be $2,000 at age 67, but you took early retirement at 63 receiving perhaps $1,600, SSDI would have paid closer to the $2,000 amount. For future reference for others reading this thread: it's sometimes advantageous to apply for SSDI rather than taking early retirement if you have a qualifying disability.