Can I work without limits after converting from SSDI to retirement benefits at full retirement age?

Good news for your brother! Once a person reaches their Full Retirement Age (FRA), which is 66 and X months depending on birth year, there are NO earning limits whatsoever. He can earn as much as he wants without any reduction to his Social Security retirement benefits. The automatic conversion from SSDI to retirement happens at FRA, so at 67, he's definitely on regular retirement benefits now. He should still report the work activity to SSA as a formality, but there will be no impact on his benefits regardless of how much he earns.

I had a similar situation and learned the hard way to STILL REPORT EVERYTHING! Just because there's no earnings limit doesn't mean they don't want to know what you're doing. Your brother should call and tell them he's planning to return to work, even though it won't affect his payment amount. Better safe than sorry with these people.

The previous responders are correct about no earnings limits after Full Retirement Age, but I want to clarify a few points: 1. The conversion from SSDI to retirement benefits is automatic and seamless - the benefit amount stays exactly the same 2. While there's no earnings limit, he should report work activity to SSA for their records 3. If he's on Medicare due to his disability, that continues unchanged 4. He may want to check about any potential tax implications since more income might make a higher percentage of his Social Security benefits taxable This is actually one of the rare straightforward situations with Social Security!

I've been trying to reach someone at SSA for THREE WEEKS about almost this exact same issue!!! Keep getting disconnected or waiting for hours. This is ridiculous. I'm 68 and switched from disability to regular social security last year, and now I'm trying to start a small online business, but no one will answer my questions about how it impacts my Medicare and if there's any forms I need to file first.

does anyone know if theres a difference with SSI? my mom is on SSI not SSDI and she wants to do some babysitting for cash. shes 68 now

When I aged out of disability into retirement benefits, I found that not only could I work without limits, but my Medicare continued exactly the same. The only thing your brother needs to be aware of is potential tax implications if he makes a substantial amount of money. Depending on his combined income (including half of Social Security plus any other income), up to 85% of his Social Security benefits could become taxable. But that's only if he does quite well financially, which would be a good problem to have!

btw you mentioned he cant get thru to SSA on the phone - tell him to try calling RIGHT when they open at 8am local time. thats the only way i can ever get through without waiting 2+ hours

my cousin started getting disability checks when he was 52 and now hes 67 and getting regular social security. he works at walmart like 30 hours a week and nobody said nothing to him about it. he says he makes more now than he ever did before lol

one more thing nobody mentioned - if hes been on SSDI for 12 years, he might be scared about losing his Medicare. tell him not to worry! Medicare continues exactly the same after converting to retirement benefits.

To summarize for your brother: 1. At age 67, he's definitely reached his Full Retirement Age and converted automatically from SSDI to retirement benefits 2. He can earn unlimited income without any reduction in his Social Security benefits 3. He should still report his work activity to SSA as a courtesy and for their records 4. His Medicare coverage continues unchanged 5. The only potential impact is on taxation of his benefits if his combined income exceeds certain thresholds This is one of those rare situations where the news is all good! I'm glad he's feeling well enough to try working again.