Switching from SSDI to retirement benefits at 62 after stroke - will I still get Social Security?
Hi everyone, I'm dealing with a situation and hoping someone can clarify this for me. I had a severe stroke followed by a bad car accident about 7 years ago (I'm 59 now). I've been receiving SSDI (disability) benefits since then. I'm starting to think ahead and getting worried about what happens when I turn 62. Will my Social Security disability automatically convert to retirement benefits? Will the amount change? I've heard mixed things from friends - one said I'll get less money, another said it stays exactly the same. I'm trying to budget for the next few years and this uncertainty is stressing me out. Thanks for any help!
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Tyler Lefleur
Your SSDI benefits will automatically convert to retirement benefits when you reach your full retirement age (FRA), not at 62. For someone your age, FRA is likely 67. The good news is that the dollar amount will stay exactly the same - there's no reduction when SSDI converts to retirement benefits at FRA. If you chose to take early retirement at 62 (which would be voluntary), then yes, you'd see a permanent reduction in benefits compared to your current SSDI amount.
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Camila Jordan
•Oh that's a relief! So I don't need to do anything at 62, and my payments will continue as they are now until I reach 67? And then they'll automatically switch over without any reduction? That's much better than I thought!
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Madeline Blaze
my cousin went thru this last year. she was on disability since her 40s and just turned 66 which was her full retirement age. they sent her a letter saying it was changing from disability to regular social security but the amount stayed exactly the same. she didnt have to do anything at all, just happened automatically
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Camila Jordan
•That's exactly what I needed to hear - a real example! Thank you so much. Did your cousin have to fill out any new paperwork or was it truly automatic?
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Madeline Blaze
•nope no paperwork at all just the letter telling her it was happening. her payment date stayed the same too
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Max Knight
Just to add some clarity - when you're on SSDI, you're already in the Social Security system and receiving disability benefits based on your work credits. The CONVERSION to retirement benefits happens automatically at your full retirement age (not at 62). The SSA will send you a notice about this conversion a few months before it happens. The AMOUNT doesn't change at all because your SSDI benefit is already calculated using the same formula as retirement benefits. The only difference is that SSDI gives you your full benefit amount regardless of age, while regular Social Security retirement benefits are reduced if taken before FRA. IMPORTANT: Do NOT apply for early retirement at 62 if you're already getting SSDI! This would actually REDUCE your benefit amount. Just let the automatic conversion happen at your full retirement age.
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Emma Swift
•This happened to me! I got confused and applied for early retirement when I was already on disability. Took me 3 months to get it straightened out with SSA. They kept telling me different things every time I called!
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Max Knight
•That's unfortunately common. The systems for SSDI and retirement aren't always well-coordinated. For anyone reading this thread in the future - if you're already on SSDI, just let it automatically convert at FRA. Don't file any additional applications.
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Isabella Tucker
I went through this exact scenario. Had a workplace injury at 46, got SSDI, and was worried about what would happen at retirement age. Let me share what I learned through the process: 1) SSDI will automatically convert to retirement benefits at your Full Retirement Age (FRA) - which is 67 for most people born after 1960 2) The benefit amount remains IDENTICAL - no reduction 3) The only real change is internal to SSA's accounting system 4) You'll get a notice about 3 months before the change 5) Your payment date and direct deposit info stay the same DON'T apply for early retirement at 62 if you're on SSDI - that would actually REDUCE your current benefit amount permanently! Just stay on SSDI until the automatic conversion at your FRA.
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Camila Jordan
•Thank you for such a clear breakdown! I feel much better now. I was really stressing about potentially getting less money at 62. So glad I asked here before doing anything that might reduce my benefits.
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Jayden Hill
THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO CONFUSE US!!!! I bet they HOPE people on disability apply at 62 so they can cut benefits!! My brother had a similar situation and the local office gave him COMPLETELY WRONG information that would have cost him $400/month for the rest of his life if he had followed their advice! Always get multiple opinions before doing ANYTHING with Social Security!
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LordCommander
•I understand your frustration, but I don't think it's a deliberate attempt to confuse people. The Social Security system is incredibly complex with thousands of rules that even many SSA employees don't fully understand. That's why getting information from multiple sources is good advice. The rules about SSDI to retirement conversion are actually designed to PROTECT disability recipients by ensuring they don't lose benefits.
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Jayden Hill
•Maybe not DELIBERATE but they sure don't make it easy to understand! And when you call you get a different answer every time!!
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LordCommander
If you need to confirm all this information directly with SSA (which I'd recommend just for peace of mind), try using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to a real person at SSA quickly. I was having the same issue trying to get straight answers about my disability-to-retirement transition and kept getting disconnected after waiting on hold for hours. Claimyr got me through to an agent in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU It saved me a lot of frustration, and the agent I spoke with confirmed everything others have said here - your SSDI will automatically convert at full retirement age with no reduction in benefits.
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Camila Jordan
•Thanks for the tip! I've tried calling the SSA before and it's nearly impossible to get through. I'll check out that service if I need to speak with someone directly. But from what everyone's saying here, it sounds like I don't need to worry about any changes happening at 62.
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Emma Swift
my sister had stroke too but she was 61 and they denied her disability claim said she was too close to retirement age! so unfair how they treat people
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Max Knight
•That's a separate issue. SSA does sometimes deny SSDI claims for people nearing retirement age, but they shouldn't deny solely based on age - there are other factors involved. For the original poster who's already approved and receiving SSDI, their situation is different - they're already in the system and will transition smoothly.
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Madeline Blaze
btw have u checked if ur eligible for medicare yet? u might qualify before 65 if ur on disability
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Camila Jordan
•Yes, that's one benefit that already kicked in! I got Medicare 24 months after my SSDI was approved. That's been a huge help with all my medical expenses after the stroke.
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Tyler Lefleur
One final clarification - I notice some confusion in the thread about exactly when SSDI converts to retirement benefits. To be precise: 1. If you're receiving SSDI, benefits automatically convert to retirement benefits when you reach your Full Retirement Age (FRA) 2. For people born 1960 or later, FRA is age 67 3. For people born 1959, FRA is 66 and 10 months 4. For people born 1958, FRA is 66 and 8 months Since you mentioned you're 59 now, you were likely born around 1966, so your FRA would be 67. That's when the automatic conversion will happen. Again, the amount stays exactly the same - there's no reduction when SSDI converts to retirement benefits at FRA.
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Camila Jordan
•Yes, I was born in 1966, so FRA at 67 sounds right. Thanks for spelling it out so clearly. I feel much better knowing I don't need to do anything and my benefit amount will stay the same.
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