Can I collect Social Security retirement benefits while receiving VA TDIU at 100%?

Yes, you absolutely can collect both Social Security retirement and VA disability (including TDIU) with no reduction to either benefit. They are completely separate programs run by different government agencies. VA benefits are based on service-connected disabilities while Social Security retirement is based on your work history and what you paid into the system during those 30 years. However, turning 65 doesn't automatically qualify you for full Social Security retirement benefits. For someone turning 65 in 2025, your Full Retirement Age (FRA) is indeed 66 and 2 months. You can apply at 65, but your benefits will be permanently reduced by about 7-8% compared to waiting until your FRA. If you can wait until 66 and 2 months, you'll get your full benefit amount.

my buddy gets both VA and social security no problem he said they don't even look at each other

I'm currently getting both VA disability (90%) AND Social Security. Been getting both for almost 3 years now. The VA doesn't care what Social Security pays you, and Social Security doesn't care what the VA pays you. They're COMPLETELY separate! BUT!!!! Be careful about applying too early. I applied at exactly 65 and lost about $240 a month FOREVER compared to what I would have gotten if I'd waited until my full retirement age. If you can afford to wait, WAIT!!!! That reduction is permanent and adds up to a lot of money over time. Also, have you checked your Social Security statement online to see what your benefit amount will be? You should create an account at ssa.gov if you haven't already and check your estimated benefit amounts.

Don't forget that SS benefits might be taxable depending on your overall income. Since your TDIU payments aren't taxable, they don't count toward the threshold for determining if your SS benefits get taxed, but if you have other income sources that might push you over. Something to keep in mind when budgeting.

I went through this exact situation last year. VA TDIU at 100% and turned 65. I can confirm that you can absolutely receive both benefits simultaneously with no reduction to either one. Here's what I learned through the process: 1. Apply for Social Security about 3 months before you want benefits to begin 2. You can apply online, but I recommend trying to get an in-person or phone appointment 3. The backlog for appointments is ridiculous right now - I tried for weeks to get through 4. I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an SSA agent within 20 minutes instead of waiting on hold for hours. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU 5. Having an actual person help with the application prevented mistakes that might have delayed my benefits Regarding the timing: If you need the money now, apply at 65. If you can wait until 66 and 2 months (your FRA), you'll get about 7-8% more per month for the rest of your life. If you can wait even longer (up to age 70), you'll get an 8% increase for each year you delay beyond FRA.

THE SSA AND VA ARE CORRUPT!!! I served my country for 12 years, got TDIU after fighting for YEARS, and then when I applied for Social Security at 62, they gave me almost NOTHING!!! They said because I hadn't worked enough in recent years, my benefit was reduced. NOBODY TOLD ME THIS WOULD HAPPEN!!! The whole system is designed to confuse veterans and deny us benefits we EARNED!!! DON'T TRUST WHAT THEY TELL YOU! Get EVERYTHING in writing!!!!

Something nobody has mentioned yet - if you're on TDIU because you can't work, have you considered applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) instead of retirement benefits? If you qualify for SSDI and haven't reached full retirement age yet, that might be more advantageous in your situation. The medical evidence from your VA disability claim could potentially support your SSDI application. Just something to consider before automatically going the retirement route.

ive been getting SS retirement since 63 and VA disability since forever... both deposits hit my bank account no problem... u earned both so u get both

One more thing I just remembered - when you do apply, they'll ask if you want Medicare Part B (the medical insurance part that costs $175.30/month in 2025). Even if you use VA healthcare, you might want to consider enrolling in Part B because VA doesn't always cover everything, and if you decline Part B now but want it later, you'll pay permanent penalties. I have both VA healthcare and Medicare as backup, and it's given me more options for specialists.

Just wanted to add one more consideration - since you mentioned your granddaughter's college expenses, you might want to factor in how the timing of your Social Security application affects your overall financial planning. If you apply at 65 and take the reduced benefit, you'll get money flowing sooner but less per month. If you wait until 66 and 2 months for your FRA, you'll get more per month but start later. One strategy some people use is to calculate the "break-even" point - how long it takes for the higher monthly payments to make up for the months you didn't receive anything. For most people, if you expect to live past your late 70s, waiting for FRA usually comes out ahead financially in the long run. Also, since you're receiving TDIU, you might qualify for some educational benefits that could help with your granddaughter's college costs. Have you looked into transferring any unused GI Bill benefits to her, or other VA education programs for family members?

As someone who just went through this process myself, I can confirm what others have said - you can absolutely collect both VA TDIU and Social Security retirement benefits without any reduction to either. They're completely separate programs. A few practical tips from my experience: 1. **Check your Social Security statement first** - Go to ssa.gov and create a my Social Security account to see your estimated benefit amounts at different ages. This will help you decide whether to apply at 65 or wait. 2. **Consider the math** - At 65, you'll get about 93% of your full benefit. At your FRA (66 and 2 months), you'll get 100%. That reduction is permanent, so calculate whether the extra monthly income now is worth more than the higher payments later. 3. **Application timing** - Apply about 3 months before you want benefits to start. The process can take time, and you don't want delays. 4. **No special VA documentation needed** - When you apply for Social Security, you don't need to provide anything special about your VA benefits. They're handled by different agencies and don't affect each other. 5. **Tax considerations** - Your TDIU payments aren't taxable, but your Social Security benefits might be depending on your total income. Factor this into your planning. Given that you mentioned needing help with college expenses, you might benefit from getting the income flowing sooner even with the reduction, but run the numbers for your specific situation first.

I'm also approaching this situation and wanted to add a few points that might be helpful based on my research and conversations with other veterans: **Regarding the application process:** If you're having trouble getting through to SSA by phone, another option is to visit your local Social Security office in person. Yes, there might be a wait, but sometimes it's actually faster than trying to get through their phone system during peak times. You can find your local office and even schedule an appointment online at ssa.gov/locator. **About your work credits:** Since you worked 30 years, you definitely have more than enough credits to qualify for Social Security retirement benefits (you only need 40 credits total, which is about 10 years of work). Your benefit amount will be based on your highest 35 years of earnings, so those 30 years of work should give you a solid foundation. **Medicare enrollment timing:** When you apply for Social Security, they'll automatically enroll you in Medicare Part A (hospital coverage) since you'll be 65, but you'll need to actively decide about Part B. Don't rush this decision - you have a bit of time to think it through, but missing the enrollment window can result in penalties later. **One additional resource:** The VA has benefits counselors who can sometimes help explain how VA and Social Security benefits interact. It might be worth calling your local VA office to see if they have someone who can walk you through the process from the VA side. Your granddaughter is lucky to have someone thinking ahead about her college expenses. Best of luck with the application process!