SSDI converts to retirement benefits automatically at your full retirement age
When you reach full retirement age (also called normal retirement age), your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments do not stop. Instead, the Social Security Administration automatically converts them to retirement benefits. The payment amount stays the same. The only thing that changes is the name of the program you are receiving from — you move from the disability rolls to the retirement rolls.
This conversion happens without you having to do anything. You do not need to contact Social Security, submit new paperwork, or reapply. The switch occurs on the first day of the month in which you reach full retirement age, and your check continues to arrive on the same schedule.
Full retirement age depends on your birth year. If you were born in 1943 or later, your full retirement age is between 66 and 67. The Social Security Administration has a table on its website that shows the exact age for your birth year. If you were born before 1943, your full retirement age is 65.
Key Takeaways
- Your SSDI payment amount does not change when it converts to retirement benefits at your full retirement age.
- The conversion happens automatically with no action required on your part.
- Full retirement age ranges from 66 to 67 depending on your birth year, and Social Security has a lookup table for your exact age.
- Family members receiving benefits on your SSDI record will also see their benefits convert to retirement benefits on the same date.
- You can choose to delay claiming retirement benefits past your full retirement age to receive a larger monthly payment, but this is a separate decision from the automatic conversion.
Why the conversion happens at full retirement age
Social Security treats disability and retirement as two different pathways to the same benefit. When you are under full retirement age, you receive SSDI because you cannot work due to a medical condition. Once you reach full retirement age, you have reached the age at which you are may have access to to retirement benefits regardless of your work status or health.
The law does not allow a person to receive both SSDI and retirement benefits at the same time. So at full retirement age, Social Security switches you over. The benefit amount is calculated the same way in both cases — based on your lifetime earnings record — which is why the payment stays the same.
What happens to family members on your record
If your spouse, ex-spouse, or children are receiving benefits based on your SSDI record, they also convert to retirement benefits at your full retirement age. Their payments also remain the same amount.
A spouse or ex-spouse can receive up to 50 percent of your full retirement age benefit amount. Children can receive up to 75 percent each, though there is a family maximum — the total paid to all family members cannot exceed 150 to 180 percent of your benefit (the exact percentage varies by your birth year). When the conversion happens, these same limits explore to retirement benefits.
The difference between conversion and claiming retirement early
Conversion at full retirement age is automatic and does not reduce your benefit. This is different from claiming retirement benefits early, which you can do as early as age 62. If you claim retirement early, your monthly payment is permanently reduced — typically by 25 to 30 percent, depending on your exact age.
Because you are already receiving SSDI, you do not have the option to claim early. You are already receiving your benefit. The conversion straightforward changes which program name it comes under. If you want a larger payment, you would need to delay past your full retirement age, which increases the benefit by about 8 percent per year until age 70.
How delayed retirement credits work if you delay past full retirement age
After your SSDI converts to retirement benefits at full retirement age, you have the option to suspend your benefits and let them grow. For each year you delay claiming between full retirement age and age 70, your monthly benefit increases by about 8 percent per year. These are called delayed retirement credits.
To use delayed retirement credits, you must contact Social Security and request a voluntary suspension of your benefits. This is a separate action from the automatic conversion. If you do not request suspension, your benefits will continue to be paid. Suspending benefits is a strategy some people use if they continue to work and earn enough income, or if they want a larger benefit later in life.
If you suspend your benefits, your family members' benefits may also be suspended, depending on their relationship to you and their age. Speak with Social Security before suspending to understand how it affects your household.
Medicare and Medicaid after conversion
Your Medicare coverage does not change when your SSDI converts to retirement benefits. You became may be able to access for Medicare at age 65 (or after receiving SSDI for 24 months, whichever came first). That coverage continues under retirement benefits with no interruption.
If you are receiving Medicaid because of your SSDI status, the conversion may affect your Medicaid may be able to access. Medicaid rules vary by state. Some states use different income and resource limits for disabled adults than they do for seniors. Contact your state Medicaid office or your local Social Security office to find out whether your Medicaid will continue after conversion.
What to expect in the months before conversion
Social Security typically sends you a notice a few months before your full retirement age arrives. This notice explains that your SSDI will convert to retirement benefits and confirms the date. Read it carefully to make sure the information is correct — your name, date of birth, and the conversion date.
If you notice an error on the notice, contact Social Security right away. You can call 1-800-772-1213, visit your local Social Security office, or create an account on ssa.gov to message Social Security online. Do not wait until after the conversion to report a mistake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my payment amount change when SSDI converts to retirement?
No. Your monthly payment stays the same. The conversion is only a change in which program you are receiving from, not a change in how much you receive.
Can I refuse the conversion and stay on SSDI?
No. The conversion is automatic and required by law. Once you reach full retirement age, you must receive retirement benefits instead of SSDI. You cannot choose to remain on disability benefits.
What if I think I made an error on my SSDI process and want to correct it before conversion?
Contact Social Security as soon as possible. You can call 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local office. Errors in your earnings record or process details can affect your benefit amount, so it is worth correcting before conversion happens.
Do I need to report my full retirement age to Social Security?
No. Social Security tracks your birth date and calculates your full retirement age automatically. The conversion happens without any action from you. You will receive a notice beforehand confirming the date.
What happens to my SSDI work incentives after conversion?
Work incentive programs like Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE) and Plans to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) end when you convert to retirement benefits. If you are working, contact Social Security before conversion to understand how your earnings will be treated under retirement benefit rules.