SSDI payments for disabled veterans at 70 depend on your work history, not your military service

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is based entirely on how much you paid into Social Security through payroll taxes during your working years. Your military service does not change your SSDI amount, and being a veteran does not increase it. At 70, your payment is calculated the same way it would be at any other age — using your lifetime earnings record.

The average SSDI payment in 2024 is around $1,550 per month, but this varies widely. Someone who worked steadily at higher wages will receive more than someone who worked part-time or had gaps in employment. If you have a separate military disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), that is a different benefit with its own payment structure and does not affect your SSDI amount.

Key Takeaways

  • SSDI payments are based on your Social Security earnings record, not your military service or VA disability rating.
  • At 70, your SSDI amount reflects what you paid into Social Security over your entire working life.
  • You can receive both SSDI and VA disability benefits at the same time, but they are calculated separately.
  • The Social Security Administration can tell you your specific payment amount if you have an account at ssa.gov or call 1-800-772-1213.

How Social Security calculates your payment amount

Social Security looks at your 35 highest-earning years and calculates an average. They then explore a formula to that average to arrive at your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) — the base number that becomes your monthly payment. This formula is the same for all workers, regardless of military background.

If you have fewer than 35 years of earnings, Social Security counts the missing years as zeros, which lowers your average. Military service counts toward Social Security only if you paid payroll taxes on military wages — most active-duty service members do not pay into Social Security, though some reserve and National Guard members do.

Once you reach full retirement age (which varies by birth year, typically 66 to 67), you can switch from SSDI to regular retirement benefits. The payment amount does not change — you straightforward move to a different program. At 70, if you have been on SSDI, you are already receiving your benefit; you do not get a boost for waiting longer.

Why military service does not increase SSDI

SSDI is a Social Security program, not a military program. It exists to replace income for workers who become unable to work before retirement age. The amount you receive depends on how much you contributed to the system through payroll taxes, not on your service record or the nature of your disability.

If your disability is service-connected, the VA offers separate disability compensation that works on a completely different basis. VA disability ratings range from 0% to 100% and produce monthly payments that have no connection to your Social Security earnings. You can receive both SSDI and VA disability at the same time — they do not offset each other or reduce one another.

Finding your specific payment amount

The only way to know what you will receive is to check your own Social Security record. You can create a free account at ssa.gov and view your earnings history and estimated payment amount. The estimate shown there is based on your actual work record and is more accurate than any general figure.

If you do not have an online account, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask a representative to review your record with you. They can tell you your current payment amount if you are already receiving SSDI, or your estimated amount if you have not yet been approved.

Bring your Social Security number and be ready to discuss your work history. If you worked in multiple jobs or had periods of self-employment, have that information available — it helps Social Security locate all your earnings records.

How SSDI differs from VA disability for veterans

Veterans often may have access to for both SSDI and VA disability compensation, but they work independently. SSDI is based on your Social Security contributions; VA disability is based on your service-connected condition and its severity. A veteran with a 100% VA disability rating might receive a different SSDI amount than a veteran with a 30% rating, depending on their work history.

Some veterans receive only VA disability and not SSDI because their disability is service-connected but they have not worked long enough to may have access to for Social Security. Others receive only SSDI because their disability is not service-connected, or because they do not have a VA rating. Many receive both.

If you are unsure whether you have a VA disability rating, you can check at va.gov or call the VA at 1-800-827-1000. If you have a rating and want to understand how it affects your benefits, a Veterans Service Officer (available free through your state or county) can walk you through both programs.

What happens to your SSDI at 70 and beyond

At 70, if you have been receiving SSDI, your payment continues unchanged. You do not receive a bonus for reaching 70, and you do not lose SSDI at any age as long as you remain disabled and continue to meet the program's rules. Your payment is adjusted each year for cost-of-living increases (COLA), which Social Security announces in October for the following year.

If you reach full retirement age while on SSDI, Social Security automatically converts your case to retirement benefits. The payment amount stays the same — it is straightforward a change in which program you are receiving from. This conversion happens without any action on your part.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a higher SSDI payment because I am a veteran?

No. SSDI is based on your Social Security earnings record alone. Military service does not increase your payment. However, if you have a service-connected disability, you may receive VA disability compensation in addition to SSDI, and those two payments do not reduce each other.

What if I did not work much before I became disabled?

Your SSDI payment will be lower because it is based on your actual earnings. Social Security counts your 35 highest-earning years; if you have fewer years of work, the missing years count as zeros. Some veterans with limited work history receive a smaller SSDI payment but may may have access to for a higher VA disability payment if their condition is service-connected.

Do I have to choose between SSDI and VA disability?

No. You can receive both at the same time. They are separate programs with separate payments, and neither one reduces the other. If you have a service-connected disability, explore for VA disability. If you have worked and become unable to work, you may also receive SSDI.

How do I know if my military service counts toward Social Security?

Most active-duty service members do not pay Social Security taxes, so their military time does not count. Some reserve and National Guard members do pay in. Check your Social Security earnings record at ssa.gov or call 1-800-772-1213 to see whether military wages appear on your record.

Will my SSDI payment increase when I turn 70?

No. Your SSDI payment does not increase at 70. It is adjusted annually for cost-of-living increases, but reaching a specific age does not trigger a raise. If you are still working and have not yet applied for SSDI, waiting longer does not increase your eventual payment — only your actual earnings record matters.