Will my SSDI convert to higher retirement benefit when my LTD stops at age 65?
I've been receiving SSDI for about 7 years following some serious health issues. My private long-term disability (LTD) insurance sends me a monthly payment of $715 that's scheduled to end when I turn 65 next year. At that point, I'll also need to start paying for my life insurance out of pocket (currently covered through my LTD plan). With my medical history (multiple cancer battles and two cardiac events), there's absolutely no way I could get affordable life insurance on my own. What I'm trying to figure out is what happens to my Social Security when I turn 65. Will my SSDI payment amount automatically increase to make up for the lost LTD income? Or will it just convert to regular retirement benefits at the same amount I'm getting now? I'm trying to plan my budget for next year and need to know if I'll be taking a financial hit when the LTD ends. Appreciate any insights from folks who've been through this transition.
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Giovanni Mancini
no your ssdi will NOT go up when the ltd ends, it just converts to retirement benefits at the exact same amount. its a common misunderstanding but they're totally separate. sorry to be the bearer of bad news!
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Amara Nnamani
•Oh no, that's not what I was hoping to hear. Does anyone know if there are any programs that might help bridge this gap? I'm already on a pretty tight budget with medical expenses.
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NebulaNinja
When you reach full retirement age (FRA), your SSDI automatically converts to retirement benefits, but the amount stays exactly the same. Social Security doesn't adjust your benefit amount based on other income sources ending. Your LTD insurance and Social Security are completely separate systems. As for the life insurance situation, you might want to look into guaranteed issue policies. They're more expensive than standard policies, but they don't require medical underwriting. Some senior organizations also offer group policies with limited underwriting requirements. If budget is a concern after your LTD ends, you might want to schedule an appointment with a Social Security representative to review if you're eligible for any additional benefits or programs like Extra Help for Medicare prescription costs or the Medicare Savings Program.
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Amara Nnamani
•Thank you for explaining this so clearly. I was really hoping there would be some adjustment. I guess I need to start figuring out how to tighten my budget even more. I'll look into those guaranteed issue policies too, but I'm not optimistic they'll be affordable.
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Fatima Al-Suwaidi
i went through same thing 2 years ago when my ltd ended. it was ROUGH! nobody warns u about this financial cliff. my ss stayed EXACTLY the same amount. had to apply for snap benefits and energy assistance. check with your county services office they might have programs to help!!!
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Amara Nnamani
•I'm sorry you went through that! Thanks for the suggestion about county services. I hadn't thought of looking into SNAP benefits. Every little bit helps.
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Dylan Mitchell
There's a lot of confusion around this topic, so let me clarify a few things: 1. SSDI automatically converts to retirement benefits at your full retirement age (66-67 depending on birth year), but the payment amount remains the same. 2. Social Security and private LTD are separate systems. Your LTD carrier likely reduced your LTD payment because you receive SSDI (this is called "offsetting"), but Social Security doesn't work in reverse - they don't increase your benefit when LTD ends. 3. For life insurance, look into final expense policies rather than traditional life insurance. They typically offer $5,000-$25,000 in coverage specifically for funeral/burial costs and are more accessible for people with health conditions. 4. If your income will be significantly reduced, contact your Medicare plan about their Extra Help program for prescription costs, and check if you qualify for the Medicare Savings Program which can cover premiums. 5. You might also want to contact the Benefits Coordination & Recovery Center (BCRC) at 1-855-798-2627 to make sure your Medicare records are updated once your LTD ends.
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Sofia Morales
•Just wanted to add that when I was trying to reach SS about a similar transition issue last year, I was getting disconnected after hours on hold. Started using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an agent in about 20 minutes. They have a video demo showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU Saved me literally days of frustration when I needed to sort out my benefits after my situation changed. Definitely worth it to actually talk to a live person who can look at your specific case.
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Dmitry Popov
The whole system is DESIGNED to leave us hanging when we need help the most!! I had the EXACT same situation with my LTD ending at 65 and guess what? Social Security couldn't care less!! They keep paying the same amount while your income drops and expenses go up. Medicare costs more, no more subsidized insurance, and they expect us to just figure it out. This is why so many seniors are living in POVERTY despite paying into the system our entire lives!!!
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Ava Garcia
•I understand your frustration but maybe call your congressman about it instead of yelling at random people online? The SSA employees just follow the rules they didn't make them.
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Giovanni Mancini
wait i just thought of something - did you check if your ltd carrier offers conversion options for your life insurance policy? sometimes they let you convert group coverage to individual policy without medical exam when coverage ends. might be worth calling them to ask!
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Amara Nnamani
•That's a really good idea! I'll call them tomorrow and ask about conversion options. Even if it's a bit more expensive, it might still be better than trying to get a new policy with my medical history. Thank you!
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Ava Garcia
My neighbor went through this last year. He said the biggest shock wasn't just the LTD ending but all the little extras that disappeared with it. His LTD also had some prescription coverage that went away. Make sure you're looking at ALL the benefits ending, not just the payment. He ended up moving to a senior apartment with subsidized rent.
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Fatima Al-Suwaidi
btw dont forgot to check bout Extra Help for medicare prescriptions you might qualify especially after ltd stops!!! saved me like $300/month on my cancer meds!!!
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Amara Nnamani
•That's a huge savings! I'll definitely look into this. I'm currently taking several medications that are pretty expensive even with my current coverage.
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Dylan Mitchell
I noticed someone mentioned SNAP benefits earlier. Just to add to that - when your income changes after LTD ends, you may also qualify for: 1. LIHEAP (energy assistance) 2. Property tax relief/rebate programs (if you own your home) 3. Medicaid spend-down programs to help with medical costs not covered by Medicare 4. Subsidized housing options if you're renting Many people don't realize these programs exist and are specifically designed to help in situations like yours. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging (search online for "Area Agency on Aging" + your county) - they have benefits counselors who can help you navigate all these programs for free.
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Amara Nnamani
•Thank you so much for this comprehensive list! I had no idea there were so many potential resources. I'll definitely look up my local Area Agency on Aging. This gives me some hope that I might be able to make things work financially after all.
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