Will Social Security retirement benefits decrease after years on workers comp? Should I apply for SSDI now?

Yes, you should absolutely apply for SSDI now. Don't wait! Your Social Security Disability application can take 6-18 months to process, and workers comp doesn't affect your eligibility. To answer your questions specifically: 1. Your SS retirement won't be dramatically affected by these non-working years. Social Security uses your highest 35 years of earnings to calculate benefits. A few years of zeros won't significantly impact your PIA (Primary Insurance Amount) given your solid work history. 2. There is something called the Workers' Compensation Offset. Your combined SSDI and workers comp benefits cannot exceed 80% of your average current earnings before disability. If they do, your SSDI benefits will be reduced (not your workers comp). But when you reach Full Retirement Age, the offset goes away. Start your SSDI application immediately - you're possibly leaving money on the table every month you wait.

ABSOLUTELY APPLY FOR SSDI NOW!!!!! I waited almost a year after my workplace injury before applying and lost out on THOUSANDS in backpay. Workers comp is a joke - barely covers anything. The system is DESIGNED to make you wait hoping you'll give up. But get ready for the SSA to be just as difficult. They denied my first application even with all my medical records. Had to appeal with a lawyer. The whole process took 19 months for me!!! And YES they reduce your SSDI if your total benefits go over 80% of what you earned before. It's CRIMINAL how they treat injured workers in this country.

I was in a similar situation after a workplace injury (manufacturing accident, lost partial use of my arm). The workers comp process was brutal, but adding SSDI was even worse - constant phone calls that never got through, paperwork sent to wrong addresses, missed appointments because they didn't notify me correctly. I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) after my third failed attempt to reach SSA by phone. They got me through to an actual SSA representative in about 25 minutes when I'd been trying for weeks. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU Regarding your specific questions - my SSDI was reduced because of workers comp (the 80% rule someone mentioned), but having both income sources still ended up being much better financially than just workers comp alone.

My dad went through this exact situation! The workers comp doesnt hurt your eligibility for disability at all. Actually they encourage you to apply because then they have to pay you less lol. But dont worry your retirement wont go down much at all. Social security uses your best 35 years and you said you have 25 good years already so a few zero years won't matter much.

I process SSDI claims professionally, so I can help clarify a few things: 1. For your retirement calculation: SSA uses your highest 35 years of earnings (adjusted for inflation). If you don't have 35 years of earnings, they'll use zeros for the missing years. With 25 solid earning years, a few zeros won't dramatically impact your benefit. 2. Workers' Comp and SSDI interaction: Yes, there's an offset. Your combined SSDI and WC benefits cannot exceed 80% of your average current earnings (ACE). The ACE calculation is complex but generally based on your pre-injury earnings. You should apply for SSDI immediately if your condition meets their definition of disability (inability to perform substantial gainful activity). The application backlog is significant, and even if approved, there's a 5-month waiting period before benefits begin. Documentation is critical - make sure you have comprehensive medical records showing your inability to work at ANY job, not just your previous occupation.

Apply apply apply!!! My husband waited too long and we struggled for nothing! But careful about the back pay if you get approved, they gave my husband a huge lump sum and then workers comp wanted some of it back, total mess took months to sort out

i was on workmans comp for 2 yrs after warehouse accident. applied for ssdi after 1st year. got denied twice then approved. they backdated the ssdi to my original application date but reduced it cuz of the workmans comp. when i hit retirement age in 2023 my benefit went up cuz the offset went away like someone said. definitely apply now dont wait.

One important point nobody has mentioned yet: if you're approved for SSDI, you'll become eligible for Medicare after 24 months on disability, regardless of your age. This can be extremely valuable for ongoing medical treatment related to your injuries. Also, when you reach Full Retirement Age (67 for someone your age), your SSDI automatically converts to retirement benefits at the same amount. At that point, any offset with workers' compensation ends. For documentation, focus on these key elements for your SSDI application: 1. Medical evidence showing your condition is severe 2. Doctor's statements specifically addressing work limitations 3. Treatment history showing you're following prescribed therapies 4. Detailed work history showing you can no longer perform previous jobs Keep copies of EVERYTHING you submit to SSA. Their record-keeping can be inconsistent.

Thank you all for the helpful responses. I'm definitely going to apply for SSDI this week. Still a bit confused about how they'll calculate that 80% limit for the offset, but sounds like I'll be dealing with that down the road. Anyone know if I should mention the workers comp when I apply for SSDI, or will they find out about it anyway? Don't want to mess anything up on the application.