If you’re near retirement age, it’s important to understand how Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and SS retirement benefits can impact each other. Our Social Security Disability attorneys At Nappa, Monterosso & Poznansky, LLP, can explain how these programs work and help you understand your options so you can make informed decisions about your finances and future. Here, we explain who may be eligible to apply for SSDI after retirement.
The Difference Between SSDI and Social Security Retirement Benefits
Social Security Disability Insurance is a federal program that provides financial support for those unable to work due to a disability. SSDI benefits are based on your work history and payroll taxes you have paid over time. Social Security retirement benefits are available to workers who have reached the required age to collect them, typically 62 or older.
Why Age Matters
One of the most important factors to think about when applying for SSDI is your age. Generally, SSDI is for those who become disabled before reaching retirement age. Once someone reaches full retirement age (FRA), Social Security Disability benefits are automatically converted to retirement benefits, usually at the same payment amount.
Full retirement age depends on when you were born:
- Born before 1938: FRA is 65
- Born between 1938 and 1959: FRA increases incrementally from 65 to 67
- Born in 1960 or later: FRA is 67
Although you can’t receive SSDI if you’ve reached your FRA, you can collect SS retirement benefits. If you’re younger than your FRA, you can apply for SSDI and continue receiving those disability benefits until you reach your full retirement age.
It’s also important to note that after age 50, Some SSDI rules differ from requirements for younger applicants. Our Social Security Disability lawyers can evaluate your case and see which factors may apply in your case.
Should I Apply for SSDI or Take Early Retirement Benefits?
If you’re considering taking retirement benefits at age 62 instead of applying for SSDI, it’s important to understand the financial implications of this game plan.
When you take early Social Security retirement benefits, the monthly amount you collect will be less that you’d receive if you waited until full retirement age. This means that your monthly SS retirement benefit amount will be permanently reduced, even after you reach FRA. Typically, SSDI payments are higher than early retirement benefits because they are based on your potential FRA retirement benefit instead of a reduced percentage.
Another advantage of applying for SSDI is that after receiving it for 24 months, you automatically qualify for Medicare. If you take early SS retirement benefits at 62, you must wait until age 65 for Medicare coverage to kick in.
Although applying for SSDI instead of taking early retirement benefits is usually a better financial choice, each circumstance is unique. It’s vital to consult a Social Security Disability lawyer who can help you maximize the benefits you may be entitled to receive.
What If I Become Disabled After Retirement?
If you become disabled after you’ve already started receiving Social Security retirement benefits, typically SSDI is not an option. However, there are other government assistance programs that you may qualify for. If you have limited income and resources, you may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which offers financial assistance to disabled and elderly individuals in need. This program is completely separate from SSDI.
Even if you’re already on Medicare, if your disability results in higher medical expenses you may qualify for additional support through Medicaid, which is a joint federal and state program that provides health care coverage to people with limited income and resources. If you become disabled after full retirement age, it’s also a good idea to see if you may be eligible for private or state-sponsored assistance programs. Veterans of the United States armed forces may be able to receive benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) based on their level of service and other factors.
Qualifying for SSDI
If you haven’t yet reached FRA you may apply for SSDI, but it doesn’t mean you’ll automatically receive benefits. To qualify for Social Security Disability, your condition must meet the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) definition of a disability and you must have earned enough work credits through your previous employment. The medical and work history requirements for SSDI can be confusing. Our Social Security Disability lawyers can take a look at your case, determine whether you may be eligible, and help with your SSDI application if you qualify.
How Our Staten Island SSDI Attorneys Can Help
Our SSDI lawyers know that the Social Security Disability application process can seem overwhelming. Most applications are denied the first time, so hiring an experienced local SSDI attorney who has a track record of success helping injured workers in the greater NYC area is essential.
Our Social Security Disability lawyers know how to gather relevant medical evidence and other required documentation to back up your SSDI claim. We ensure your application is correctly completed and submitted and that all important deadlines are met. If you receive an SSDI denial, your Social Security Disability attorney can guide you through the appeals process.
Over the past three decades, our team has built a solid reputation in the New York legal community. Our longstanding relationships with SSA personnel and the local courts help us keep the process moving and give you the best chance of a successful SSDI claim. Our Spanish-Speaking clients can rely on attorney and Partner Rolando Cubela to provide top-notch legal representation they can trust.
Contact Our Social Security Disability Attorneys in the Greater NYC Area
If you’re unsure about your eligibility for SSDI or need assistance with the application process or an appeal, our SSDI attorneys at Nappa, Monterosso & Poznansky, LLP, can help. To schedule a consultation with a Staten Island Social Security Disablity lawyer, contact us or call 718-273-9000 today.
